Good Samaritans help woman rescue 21 dogs from floodwaters in southeast Houston

HOUSTON – Betty Walter was stuck in her attic Sunday as four feet of water came rushing into her southeast Houston home.

PHOTOS: 21 dogs rescued from floodwaters in southeast Houston

Walter, an animal lover, has four dogs of her own, and that day she also was pet sitting for a friend and rescuing neighbors’ animals. In all, 21 dogs were in her care.

Walter said that as Harvey raged outside Saturday, she heard her neighbors’ dogs, left behind during earlier evacuations “crying all night long.”

Walter said rescue crews came through the neighborhood Saturday, plucking people from the floodwaters. She said she understands that they were putting human lives first, but that she “refused” to leave the dogs – some of them rather large -- behind.

“It was scary,” she said.

Walter said she spent at least 14 hours in her attic with all of the dogs, waiting for some kind of help.
Two men from Deer Park walking the neighborhood with a boat to help a woman who had a stomach pump, when they learned that woman had been rescued.

“They saw me in need, and the guy said, ‘We’re going to load all the dogs. … We’re not going to separate you or the dogs."

And they weren’t separated. All 21 dogs – big and small – were loaded up in the boat and taken to higher ground.

Walter wrote on Facebook: “I was worried there was too many dogs on the boat and it would tip over. I told them I would stay behind and for them to make two trips. They said no, we are taking all and you. We had 21 dogs on this boat. No place for any humans on this boat. We had to walk in water over my head to get out.”

If you would like to help Walter, visit her donation page.