A helicopter landed in the middle of a La Mesa intersection as a Border Patrol K9 was rushed to the Pet Emergency Specialty Center on Friday.
LA MESA, Calif — A dramatic scene unfolded Friday afternoon in La Mesa when a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter made an emergency landing in the middle of a busy intersection, all to save the life of a four-legged federal agent.
Around 4:00 p.m., a U.S. Border Patrol K9 named Boo was bitten by a rattlesnake while patroling the rugged Otay Mountain Wilderness. Boo’s handler quickly called for help, and within minutes, agents with CBP Air and Marine Operations airlifted the injured dog by helicopter to a veterinary emergency hospital in La Mesa.
The helicopter touched down near the intersection of Grossmont Boulevard and Jackson Drive, surprising residents and drivers who weren’t sure what was happening.
“I rolled down my window and [went], ‘Oh my God, there’s a helicopter right there,’” said Nessa Lene, a La Mesa resident who captured video of the landing on her phone. “I didn’t know what was going on, then I saw the dog, and I just started crying. I’m a dog person — I just hoped he was okay.”
Lene says the dog’s handler could be seen running from the helicopter carrying Boo in his arms across the street to the Pet Emergency Specialty Center.
Dr. Jennifer Willey, the medical director at the hospital, says they often treat rattlesnake bites, especially in warmer months.
“We typically see two to three snakebite cases a day during peak summer,” Willey said. “You’ll see pain, you’ll see swelling, sometimes we can find the actual punctures, and then there’s usually pretty distinct bruising that develops right away.”
Fortunately, Boo received anti-venom and IV fluids in time and is now under observation. Officials say he is stable and recovering.
“Boo is more than just a dog,” said Border Patrol Agent Esteffany Solano of the San Diego Sector. “He’s a federal agent, and he’s treated as one. We’re thankful he was able to get the care he needed.”
The bond between K9s and their handlers runs deep, Solano said.
“They truly love their dogs. These canines are part of the team and part of the family,” she said.
The story has sparked an outpouring of support on social media and from the local community.
“It was completely unexpected,” Lene said. “But we’re all just so happy that the dog is okay. What a crazy thing to happen right here in La Mesa.”