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Stafford, Va. The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division is requesting the public’s assistance in preventing incidents involving dogs or small animals from falling into uncapped 4 inch “clean out” pipes.

On Tuesday, September 16, 2014 the Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division, Stafford Fire & Rescue and Stafford Utilities were contacted to assist in rescuing a small yorkie dog that had fallen into a 4 inch, uncapped, “clean out’ pipe. The dog’s owner had been walking the dog off leash, in an apartment complex, when the dog fell into the 8 foot deep pipe. Ultimately the dog was rescued by personnel on scene. In March of this year a similar incident occurred which resulted in an excavation and failed attempt to remove a small dog. Unfortunately in that incident the dog did not live. Once again multiple agencies had responded with shovels and digging equipment in an attempt to rescue the animal.

Citizens are requested, that if they have “clean out” pipes on their property, to make sure that they are capped properly. Citizens may contact Stafford County Utilities if they have questions about the type of cap to place on the exposed “clean out” pipes. It is the responsibility of the property owner to cap the open pipe. If citizens’ notice uncapped pipes on public property they are urged to contact Stafford County Utilities at 540-658-8630.