A dog that was stranded in a drainpipe on the Chicago River Saturday afternoon was rescued by the Chicago Police Department’s Marine Unit and safely reunited with her owner.  

An individual who was on board a boat in the river noticed the Pit Bull Terrier, named Faroe, in a drainpipe on the river near the Harrison Street Bridge and called police. The Marine Unit was patrolling the river and responded to the call.  

At the same time, Faroe’s owner, Brandon Hilliard, was searching for his dog and saw on a community public safety app that the Marine Unit was responding to a call of a stranded dog that matched Faroe’s description. Faroe had gone missing earlier in the morning after running off while outside.  

Brandon’s sister was able to get in contact with the Marine Unit and relay that the stranded dog was her brother’s. The Marine Unit was then able to directly contact Brandon, who boarded the responding boat that was on its way to rescue Faroe. After locating Faroe, a Marine Unit diver deployed to retrieve her. Faroe, a rescue dog adopted by Brandon last year, appeared nervous. After a few minutes of the Marine Unit and Brandon attempting to coax her out of the drainpipe, the diver was able to use one of Faroe’s squeaky toys to calm her down and bring her to safety. Once on board the boat, Faroe was happily reunited with Brandon.   

“I’m so thankful a Good Smartian spotted Faroe, and that my sister, the Chicago Police Department and everyone involved helped reunite me with my best friend,” said Brandon.