Multi-Person Rescue Team Saves Tiny, Stubborn Chihuahua Stuck Under Texas Bridge

The pup barked and bit a firefighter during the rescue

A stubborn chihuahua found herself in an unfortunate situation over the holiday weekend.

Visitors at the Houston Botanic Garden in Texas spotted the adventurous pup, named Burbie, perched on a concrete beam of a pedestrian bridge over the Sims Bayou channel on Friday, Nov. 29, according to a Facebook post from the garden.

The garden's staff was notified of the small dog's predicament, and employees contacted two local Houston Fire Department stations to help with the rescue.

"We love knowing that everyone and everything in and around the Garden is in good hands with these trained community helpers on the job," the post read.

According to an update from the garden, after being rescued by the firefighters, Burbie was taken in by a woman who identified herself as a vet technician.

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Video obtained by CBS affiliate KHOU shows the Chihuahua acting resistant to the rescue. The 2-minute clip shows the pup barking and moving away from the rescuer as he approaches the little dog. The local outlet reported that the dog bit the firefighter, who swam out to the concrete beam to save the pup.

KHOU added that during the rescue, Burbie jumped into the body of water surrounding the bridge and began to swim away. The firefighter swiftly caught up to the dog and brought her to safety.

Photos from the botanical garden show the dog snugly wrapped in a towel in the arms of a smiling firefighter after the rescue.

A second article from KHOU on Saturday, Nov. 30, revealed that Burbie has reunited with their owners after the family saw the first news story from the outlet. The vet technician who picked up the pup after the rescue – identified as Judy Hausler – kept the pooch overnight before meeting with the family to return the Chihuahua.

Hausler described the rescue to the outlet: "She started standing up and barking, like yapping, more yap than bark, really, it was kind of cute.”

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She added, "It just worked out that I was there, and I said, 'I'm going to take the dog, and I'll find it a home.'"

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Hausler said the reunion was "emotional," and Burbie's family members "were all crying."

The owners claimed that Burbie went missing on Monday, Nov. 25, and was not wearing a collar. Now, they are planning on getting the pup microchipped to avoid another incident.

"We are very grateful for the efforts of the first responders and of everyone involved to help us bring our baby home," one of the owners told KHOU. "I don't think that there's anything that we could possibly do to repay the efforts of those involved, but I will say that I am very grateful."