Dog Rescued After Falling Into San Francisco Bay

Firefighters save German shorthaired pointer trapped under pier near McCovey Cove

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The San Francisco Fire Department rescued a German shorthaired pointer named Kobe who had fallen off a pier and become trapped under it while chasing a bird. Firefighters responded to 911 calls on Sunday afternoon and used a rescue boat to lure Kobe to safety, reuniting him with his owner.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the important role of first responders in rescuing pets that find themselves in dangerous situations, as well as the risks that dogs can face when exploring near bodies of water. The rescue also generated positive attention for the San Francisco Fire Department on a busy sports weekend.

The details

Kobe, a German shorthaired pointer, fell off a pier near McCovey Cove and became trapped underneath while chasing a bird. The San Francisco Fire Department's land and marine rescue teams responded to 911 calls around 2:30 p.m. and used a rescue boat to lure Kobe to open water using voice commands. They then secured a buoy around Kobe's body and brought him back to the boat, reuniting him with his grateful owner.

  • On Sunday, February 9, 2026, around 2:30 p.m.

The players

Kobe

A German shorthaired pointer who fell off a pier and became trapped under it while chasing a bird.

San Francisco Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to 911 calls and rescued Kobe from the water.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The play starts with canine KOBE falling into the Bay and getting stuck, with nowhere to go for... [the] Super Save!”

— FF/PM Jay Weber, Firefighter/Paramedic (Twitter (@SFFDPIO)

The takeaway

This rescue operation demonstrates the important role that first responders play in protecting both people and pets in emergency situations, and the value of having well-trained teams ready to respond quickly to calls for help.