Officers rescue dog from West Babylon backyard pond, cops say

Quick-acting First Precinct officers rescued a dog trapped in a backyard pond Tuesday, Suffolk County police said.

The pond-bound pooch, a 12-year-old golden retriever named Ralphie, was later taken to a veterinarian for treatment of hypothermia, police said.

Police said a resident at the home on Fifth Street in West Babylon called 911 to report the incident at about 8:20 a.m.

The responding officers, Peter Cucchiara and Kristen Goroway, found the dog trapped in the pond — its legs tangled in underwater tubing, according to the official account. Police said the two officers used an animal control pole and snow shovels to free the dog’s legs, then removed Ralphie from the pond.

Attempts to reach residents at the home were not successful.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”