Woman, Newfie Rescued From Mud In Groton

A woman and the Newfoundland she was dog sitting got stuck in mud at Haley Farm State Park and had to be rescued by firefighters Monday.

Both were uninjured and simply needed baths.

“Occasionally we see people get into different predicaments, but it’s not too often,” said Curt Floyd, deputy chief of Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department.  “Stuck in the mud I haven’t seen in quite some time.”

Floyd said a call came in shortly before noon Monday that a woman was trapped in mud at the park.  Firefighters found her buried up to her thighs, and the dog semi-buried, he said.

Groton Animal Control Officer Donna Duso said people often walk dogs along a trail surrounded by marsh. She said the woman apparently took the Newf named “Luke” for a walk and the dog, being a Newfoundland, wanted water.

“I bet he thought he was going from a swim,” Duso said.

Duso said rescuers pulled the woman out, then put a rope under the dog to lift him.  Male Newfoundlands weigh an average of 130 to 150 pounds, according to the breed standard of the American Kennel Club.  

“He was pretty stuck. He was a little scared with the guys and everyone pulling,” she said. “But he was a good boy.”

Duso brought Luke back to Animal Control and bathed him. The rescued woman cleaned up and picked up the dog about 45 minutes later.

Jody Dyer, who walked on the trail Tuesday, said she can see how something like this could happen.

“She was concerned about the dog, the dog was huge, so they sunk down in the mud,” she said. She could only imagine how many baths the dog needed, she added.

"Dogs are something.”