Flash flood separates couple from dogs

Brian Bailey and Cynthia Johnston drove their van into a flash flood in northern Arizona last week, and the water separated the pair from seven of their eight dogs. The incident occurred on Oct. 21 while the couple was traveling to Prescott. All eight animals and both occupants survived the event.

Johnston described the moment the water struck their vehicle. She said the river hit the van suddenly, giving her no time to react. Bailey noted that the current turned the nose of the van and pushed it approximately 1,000 feet off the road. The force of the water dragged Bailey under, carrying him five miles downstream before he reached shore.

While Bailey was in the water, Johnston remained trapped inside the van with the remaining seven dogs. She instructed Bailey to hold onto a tree, but he began slipping. Johnston reported that she heard him say he was losing his grip before the sound stopped. Rescue crews eventually pulled the couple from the water, leaving the dogs behind in the flood zone.

Bailey stated that the probability of them and the dogs surviving trapped in the van was low. Hours after the rescue, the Yavapai Humane Society took custody of all eight dogs. One dog bit a rescuer during the extraction, and Rich McClish of the humane society confirmed that none of the animals had current rabies vaccinations.

Arizona state law required the Yavapai County animal control department to quarantine the dogs for 10 days because they were unvaccinated. McClish explained that the humane society was providing boarding care based on a mandate from the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office. The county Board of Supervisors sets the mandatory fees for this service, which typically stood at $1,800 for the couple.

The humane society announced on Tuesday that it is waiving the fee for Bailey and Johnston. McClish said the organization worked with the couple due to the specific circumstances of the flood. The couple and their seven dogs are scheduled to reunite on Oct. 31.