WEST SACRAMENTO–

A German shorthaired pointer was removed from her kennel by fire and animal control officers Monday after the dog was trapped by a fallen tree.

Winds of 40 miles an hour whipped through the Sacramento-area, knocking down trees and tree branches.

A 50-foot cypress tree fell across the back fence of a West Sacramento home, destroying a backyard barbecue kitchen and patio cover. It also covered a kennel housing three hunting dogs.  The homeowners, who did not want to be identified, said two of their dogs escaped the kennel — but a third dog named Emma was trapped by tree branches.

West Sacramento Fire Department personnel followed the same advice they give to homeowners and called PG&E to make sure electrical lines knocked down by the tree were safe.  They and animal control officer waited two hours for a crew to arrive, since there were so many power lines knocked down by the wind.

“Never touch a downed power line or even a cable line … you just never know if there’s electricity traveling through it,” said Captain Scott Pfeifer of the West Sacramento Fire Department.

Once it was determined safe, firefighters moved some branches and got a collar on Emma — who seemed excited to be reunited with her kennel mates. Her owner was equally excited for her dog to be rescued.

“I was elated, I was so glad she finally got out. Poor thing because she was so scared,” said the homeowner.

The fire department rarely goes on animal rescues, but Pfeifer said it was a gratifying end to the situation.

“There are times when we have to come out for cats in trees and dogs under  trees,” said Pfeifer.