Sewickley Firefighters Rescue Dog Trapped In Crash

Sewickley firefighters rescued a dog pinned inside a vehicle this morning following a two-car crash on Route 65.

Amy Quinn of said she wasn’t injured from the crash that happened shortly before 11 a.m. at the intersection of 65 and Chestnut Street., but watched in agony as firefighters worked to free her dog, Powder, from the wreckage.

"I hate the boulevard. That's why I always cross it, as opposed to going down it," Quinn said.

For about 30 minutes, firefighters worked using a crow bar, a blanket and other tools, to eventually free the pooch that yelped at times from the pain.

Powder, believed to have suffered a broken leg in the accident, was taken to Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center on Camp Horne Road.

 Chief James Ersher said the crash occurred as Quinn’s car was traveling on Chestnut, crossing Route 65 away from the .

Ersher said John Rodriguez of Aliquippa ran a red light and his sport utility vehicle struck the passenger side of Quinn’s car. Both vehicles were towed. also responded to the scene.

Ersher said police plan to cite Rodriguez with failing to obey traffic signals and driving under suspension.  

When asked what happened, Rodriguez said, “I don’t even know.”

Sam Bruno, Cochran fire lieutenant and borough employee, said he happened to be in the area when he heard the crash.

Bruno held and comforted Powder as other emergency workers tried to free the dog. A crowd of onlookers cheered as the dog, wrapped in a blanket, was carried safely from the car.

Bruno said the rescue was emotional.

“I love dogs. I want to cry right now,” Bruno said. “That was probably harder than a person because you can’t talk to them. You don’t know what the dog is feeling.”

Abigail Zimmerman, who is entering the second grade, stopped to watch with her brothers and their grandmother, Lucia Zimmerman. Quinn was Abigail’s teacher and the little girl worried about her well-being, her grandmother said.

“This is a big lesson in real life,” Lucia Zimmerman said.

Quinn said she felt fine, though she was naturally worried about her dog. She gave Powder water to lap while the dog remained trapped. Quinn said they had just left the veterinarian before the crash.

"Poor dog. He just got two shots," she said.