Local Fire Crews Rescue Puppy Entangled Near Coupeville Boat Launch
Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue crews and community members rescued an 11-month-old Corgi named Blueberry after she fell into Puget Sound and became entangled in seaweed about 300 yards from the Coupeville boat launch on Jan. 6, 2026. The quick response by a passerby, neighbors and firefighters brought the puppy to safety and highlights local emergency readiness and community coordination.
An 11-month-old Corgi named Blueberry was rescued from near-drowning after falling from the Coupeville boat launch on Jan. 6, 2026, officials said. The dog slipped free of a leash while her owners, a visiting couple, were searching with neighbors, and drifted roughly 300 yards from shore before a passerby spotted her struggling in the water and called for help.
Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue crews reached Blueberry by boat and retrieved her while she was nearly fully submerged. Firefighters applied cold-water exposure procedures on scene to warm the puppy, then reunited her with her relieved owners. Blueberry was uninjured and declared safe following the incident.
The owners, who were visiting the area at the time, expressed gratitude for the rapid actions of both community members and first responders. The owner’s husband required medical treatment for a torn ligament he suffered while attempting to stop the dog from falling into the water.
The incident underscores several local concerns. For emergency services, it tested water-rescue readiness and the ability to deploy small-boat operations close to shore in winter conditions. For residents and visitors, it illustrates the risks pets face near steep boat launches, tidal currents and submerged vegetation that can entangle animals and hinder self-rescue.
Community involvement was decisive. Neighbors joined the initial search, and a passerby’s call for help directed first responders to Blueberry’s location. That chain of civilian reporting, informal search efforts and trained response demonstrates a pattern of civic engagement that can shorten rescue times and improve outcomes for people and animals alike.
Island County officials have not reported additional injuries beyond the owner’s husband receiving treatment for a torn ligament. The outcome for Blueberry was positive, and the episode provides a reminder of the interplay between public safety infrastructure and resident action. Local leaders and emergency planners may view the rescue as a case study for reinforcing public guidance on pet safety near water and for assessing resources for winter maritime rescues.
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