A small dog missing for nearly two weeks was rescued from the waters of San Francisco Bay in a dramatic operation involving firefighters, a drone, boats, and an airboat, officials said. Prieta, a tiny dog that disappeared during Independence Day celebrations on July 4, was spotted swimming in the bay by a member of the public, who alerted emergency services.

The Menlo Park Fire Department quickly mobilized resources including a drone, fire trucks, a boat, and an airboat to locate and recover the animal. Video footage captured by the drone showed firefighters reaching Prieta and pulling her from the cold water into the airboat, where she was wrapped in a blanket and appeared shivering but unharmed. East Palo Alto Police Department described the rescue as resembling an “action movie,” noting the dog’s persistence in the water amid a flock of seagulls.

After being brought safely ashore, Prieta was handed over to an animal welfare organization, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), which worked to identify and contact her owners. The dog’s family had been searching for her since the Fourth of July, when she fled after being frightened by fireworks. One owner, speaking anonymously, described the two weeks of uncertainty as agonizing and said they had visited numerous shelters without success. The owner expressed immense relief upon receiving the call that Prieta had been found, saying, “My heart started beating so hard” and thanking the rescue team for their efforts.

The rescue highlights the growing role of technology such as drones in search and recovery operations for lost animals, as well as the coordination between public safety responders and animal welfare groups. Prieta’s safe return after nearly 14 days in the water underscores the dedication of local officials to protect and reunite pets with their families.