Crews rescue dog stuck on ledge in Pepperell

PEPPERLL, Mass. (WHDH) -- Rescue crews jumped into action when a dog took a tumble in Pepperell. The dog fell 20 feet down a steep embankment, forcing emergency responders to leave a Memorial Day parade.

Pepperell firefighters marching in the town's Memorial Day parade stopped everything and rushed to the rescue of a dog in need.

The dog was on a walk with his owner, when the pup fell 20-feet down an embankment and was stuck on a ledge.

“When we first reached [the dog] down in the embankment about 20 feet down she was very scared she started panicking so we had to calm her down,” said Justin Zink, a firefighter.

Firefighters say the dog's owner tried to save the dog herself.

“She was trying to go down there herself and tried to keep her away. She was very emotional. But we had to try and keep emotions out of it and make sure everybody was safe in the process,” Zink said.

A firefighter was able to rappel down and save the pup, all while wearing his parade uniform.

The pup couldn't wait to be reunited with his owner.

“When he made contact with the owner it was a very happy reunion, it was good,” Zink said.

Firefighters say calls interrupting the parade are becoming a tradition.

“It’s become a Memorial Day tradition for us. There’s a call almost every Memorial Day,” Zink said.