It Took 2 Teams of First Responders to Find and Rescue Pink-Haired Poodle from Freezing River Waters: 'The Color Did Help'

A colorful poodle gave the Garfield Police Department in New Jersey a good chase.

According to the press release obtained by PEOPLE, the GPD received a call on the morning of Monday, March 3, from a local citizen informing them that their dog, named Molly, had gotten loose from their home.

The owner offered photos of Molly — a small poodle whose fur was dyed a bubblegum pink color — to the police, which shared the images to their Instagram Stories to prompt community aid in the search.

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Later that day, authorities received a call from a "good Samaritan" who saw the pink-haired pup running loose near the Passaic River, which gave the officers a clear location to begin their search for Molly.

On the scene, as reported in the release, were Sergeant Mariggi Lopez-Houck, Officer Noah Murphy, and Officer Benjamin Marceca. The police and dentizens assisted in the search, and of course, Molly’s unique fur color helped the impromptu game of hide-and-seek come to a quicker end.

"The color did help,” Molly's former owner, Sandra Caltradrone, who joined in the search, told ABC7 News, noting that “it's a plant-based vegan pet dye.”

Although the first responders were able to locate Molly quickly, the crew had a difficult time capturing the pet, as she was much faster and stealthier than they first anticipated.

After dodging several capture attempts, Molly jumped into the Passaic River and swam towards Clifton. Garfield officers watched from the shore as Molly found a small island near Dundee Lake, between Garfield and Clifton, to land on. Officers noted Molly swam the length of a football field to reach the resting spot.

Upon further review of Molly’s evasion skills, the Garfield Fire Department was called in to assist the police. After nearly two hours from the start of the chase, the two teams were able to reach the island and find a shivering, though unharmed, Molly.

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Once Molly was cleared on the scene by Clifton Animal Control, she was returned to the Garfield side of the riverbank to her waiting owner.

“A huge thank you to the Garfield police station, the rescue team that went beyond," said Caltradrone, per ABC7 News.

The police department also echoed many thanks on its Instagram post regarding the incident.  “Molly’s owner expressed gratitude for the tireless efforts of the first responders and the community’s support in reuniting her with her beloved pet,” read the caption.

They added, “The Garfield Police Department would like to extend a special thank you to the good Samaritan who reported the sighting, as well as the Garfield and Clifton Fire Departments, for their professionalism and teamwork in the successful rescue of Molly.”

Read the original article on People