The California Highway Patrol is being lauded for its efforts in rescuing a Chihuahua off the I-680 freeway Friday.
The Contra Costa CHP posted a photo of the rescue on Twitter saying:
"This little dog needed some help off I-680 freeway today. We're glad he's safe."
Many Twitter users thanked the CHP for saving the small dog. Others wondered where it had shown up from.
On Saturday, the CHP said in a tweet that the Contra Costa Animal Control in Martinez, California, had taken the puppy into their care.
The rescue picture showed the Chihuahua perched on a roadway median on Interstate
Highway 680 during rush hour.
CHP officer John Fransen said Saturday that a CHP officer spotted the small dog on the highway's concrete center divider around 6 p.m. while driving south on Highway 680 near the North Main Street overpass.
The officer came out of his car and used a protein bar to coax the Chihuahua toward him and was able to pick up the dog.
Although Fransen said he didn't know how the dog ended up on the freeway, he said, it's likely that someone left the animal there.
"As sad as it sounds, it actually happens pretty often," he said.
Since Friday night, there have been several offers from the public to adopt the dog, the officer said.
This little dog needed some help off I-680 freeway today. We're glad he's safe. #CHP #Safe #Dog #DogTreats pic.twitter.com/RTuyB6fdPg
— CHP Contra Costa (@320PIO) May 10, 2014
@Yvetego Contra Costa County Animal Control (Martinez, CA) took the puppy into their care.
— CHP Contra Costa (@320PIO) May 10, 2014
Bay City News contributed to this report.
Photo Credit: CHP Contra Costa @320PIO Via Twitter