Staging a Golden Retrieval

Hunk, a 10-year-old male golden retriever, was pulled from the Los Angeles River on Wednesday, ending a runaway from his Northridge owners that began Monday night, authorities said.

Los Angeles firefighters and animal services officers rescued the dog from the river at 10 a.m. near Forest Lawn Drive in Burbank, said Jackie David, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Animal Services.

Hunk had drifted about five miles downriver from where he fell into the water near Tujunga Avenue in North Hollywood, she said.

Rescuers also had to pull out an onlooker who had attempted to retrieve Hunk from a concrete embankment. The would-be helper fell in, and Hunk was sent floating farther downriver.

Hunk, who was wearing a tag, was taken to the East Valley animal shelter in North Hollywood, treated for hypothermia and exhaustion and reunited with his owners, David said.