Dog News

Three Dogs Recovered Alive from South Dakota Building Collapse

by Amy Drew

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The Fodness family of Sioux Falls, S.D. has had a harrowing week.

Twenty-two-year-old Emily Fodness endured several hours trapped in the rubble after the century-old building where her family lives collapsed on Friday morning.

It took firefighters about 20 minutes to extract Molly from the rubble. Photo: Joe Ahlquist/Argus Leader
It took firefighters about 20 minutes to extract Molly from the rubble. Photo: Joe Ahlquist/Argus Leader

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Fodness, who lived in an upstairs apartment was rescued from the debris the same day but her three dogs had to wait a little longer. On Sunday, Molly the beagle was pulled from the wreckage. She was found underneath a mattress. Her fur siblings — a husky and another beagle — were saved during the initial rescue effort on Friday.

The rescue came after rescue workers heard a noise as they inspected the building on Sunday.

Molly’s family was waiting at the site when she was recovered. It took firefighters about 20 minutes to get her out. Her fur siblings — a husky and another beagle — were saved during the initial rescue effort on Friday.

Molly reunites with the Fodness family. Photo: Joe Ahlquist/Argus Leader
Molly reunites with the Fodness family. Photo: Joe Ahlquist/Argus Leader

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Molly was reported to be in good condition, per a Sioux Falls Police Department tweet.

“It made for a really nice scene. It’s still a tragedy, but at least it was a little bit better of a day,” Sioux Falls emergency manager Regan Smith told the Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Smith was on the scene when he and a city engineer heard Molly’s faint bark.

Construction worker Ethan McMahon lost his life in the collapse.He was working alongside his brother John McMahon in the building when it collapsed. John made it out in time. McMahon was remembered by friends as a father, a Marine veteran and a deeply caring friend.