HESPERIA, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Two men and a German Shepherd were rescued Monday night after becoming stranded across the fast-moving Mojave River while attempting to save the exhausted dog.
The incident occurred on January 5, 2026, at approximately 11:52 p.m., when San Bernardino County Fire crews responded to a swift water rescue along the Fork Mojave River.
Upon arrival, they found two adult males in wet clothing with a dog, stranded on the opposite riverbank in hazardous nighttime conditions.
According to the department, the men had crossed the cold, fast-moving river to reach the dog, who was trapped in a small box canyon and cut off from flat land. After successfully reaching the animal, the men found themselves unable to cross back due to the current and lack of safety equipment. They called 911 for help.
The county’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, along with four fire engines, one ambulance, one battalion chief, a drone unit, and a safety officer, responded. The swift water team deployed an inflatable rescue boat to reach the trio, successfully bringing them across without injury.
Additional context was shared by Kelly Marie in a Facebook post, who detailed the efforts leading up to the rescue.
According to Marie, the dog, a middle-aged German Shepherd later named “River”, had been spotted earlier in the day by a hiker with @mountain_mutt__adventures. The hiker discovered the dog stranded and unapproachable on a steep embankment with no cell service to call for help. She left the area for her safety and later reported the location, which led to a broader rescue effort.
“What started as a call for help turned into a long, tense night with a lot of unknowns,” Marie wrote. “With daylight fading and conditions becoming more dangerous, every decision mattered.”
Mark and Naomi from @ironpawrescue and @animaladvocacynet responded to the call for help and successfully reached the dog but were left stranded with him on the far side of the river. Their safe return was made possible by the coordinated response from County Fire and law enforcement.
“After so many twists and turns, this boy is finally safe — completely worn out and now resting comfortably in Naomi’s car, exactly where he belongs tonight,” Marie said.
She expressed gratitude to all involved, especially the hiker who first found the dog and to the rescuers who acted without hesitation. “Mark has named him River, a name he truly earned.”
San Bernardino County Fire reminds the public not to enter fast-moving water without proper training and equipment. “Even shallow water can knock an adult off their feet,” they warned. “Good intentions don’t stop fast-moving water.”
If a person or animal is stranded in or near water, officials urge the public to call 911 and leave the rescue to trained professionals.
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