DeLand Dog Rescued From Under Dashboard

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DeLand, FL - A small dog rescued over the weekend by a stranger needed a different kind of rescue soon afterward.

Workers with Volusia County Animal Control and the county's Fire Rescue responded on Monday (March 11th) to pull an adult male Chihuahua named "Dash" from underneath the dashboard of a running vehicle.

The Chihuahua was running loose on West Lisbon Parkway near South Clara Avenue around 10 a.m. when a passing motorist stopped to try and pick the dog up, according to Volusia County spokesperson Kevin Captain.

"Unfortunately, the frightened animal jumped into her vehicle and crawled up under the dashboard, becoming wedged behind the dashboard controls and the vehicle’s engine firewall," Captain noted. "It was hot due to the heat from the car engine."

The driver called for help at that point and it wasn't long when two Animal Control officers pulled the dog free, according to Captain.

"[The] officers worked together to gain access and coax the heavily panting dog to get close enough for them to grasp it safely," Captain stated. "The dog was overheated and scared and had to be hydrated."

The dog's owner - who lived nearby - told county workers someone in a red Dodge gave her Dash and another Chihuahua - a female named Coco - the day before for free and she took them in because she was afraid he'd just "dump" the dogs in the street, according to the incident report.

Both dogs were inspected for a microchip and nothing was found. Their photos have been posted on the county's lost and found website. In the meantime, they will stay with their new owner.