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AirTag Helps Rescuers Find Dog Lost in California Flood

Apple's AirTag this week saved a dog that was swept away in California floodwaters, leading rescuers to his location. As reported by ABC7, one-year-old Australian shepherd Seamus fell into fast-moving storm drain after he got away from his owner during a walk.

seamus the dog airtag
Seamus was swept into a flood control basin and quickly floated away from his owner, but he was eventually able to crawl out of an access tube. As Seamus had an ‌AirTag‌ on his collar, rescuers were able to locate his owners, and his owners were able to track his location.

The drainage network took Seamus approximately a mile away from where he started, and he was stuck at the bottom of the access tube. On its Facebook page, the San Bernardino County Fire Department said that both the Apple ‌AirTag‌ and the conventional ID tag "aided rescuers and owners in tracking the pup and reuniting them."

Apple created AirTags to track items, and the company does not recommend using them for tracking pets, children, or other living creatures because they require a nearby iPhone to be located and do not have their own built-in GPS tracking functionality. That has not stopped many pet owners from using AirTags on their animals, and there are a wide range of collars, harnesses, and other accessories for equipping a pet with an AirTag.

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Top Rated Comments

HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
48 months ago
In related news, PETA attorneys representing Seamus pro-bono are suing for tracking Seamus without his knowledge or express written consent. They are filing a lawsuit against the owners AND Apple for one ga-zillion dollars... plus 5* Milkbone dog biscuits.

When asked for comment, the canine's attorney said, "All living creatures have the right to privacy or even the right to be stuck in a drain pipe as long as they like or don't like. This is clearly an egregious breach of such rights."

When asked for comment, Apple attorney said, "While we do not comment on pending litigation, did you see the game-changing performance of our new M2 Macs... and all new, magical Home Pods released this week? Order now!!!"

All ;)

*correction, make that 8 Milkbones, as the lawyer wants their cut of those too.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
48 months ago
Great to hear another story where AirTags helped this way!
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cwosigns Avatar
48 months ago
I have one on my dog’s collar. While I’ve never needed it to track him, it’s definitely worth it for a little extra peace of mind.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
48 months ago
Wow! That’s fantastic news. What a great ending 👏🏻🐶🐾
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
48 months ago
Awwwwww, what a heartwarming story.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
48 months ago
Awwwwwwww, look at that pupper. What a sweet boy.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)