Snohomish County Crews Win PETA Awards for Freeing Crow Caught in Fishing Line
For Immediate Release:
August 18, 2026
Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382
A Compassionate Fire Department Award and a Compassionate Parks and Recreation Award are on their way from PETA to Snohomish County Fire District 4 and Snohomish County Parks & Recreation after crews teamed up on August 2 to rescue a crow who was tangled in fishing line and dangling roughly 50 feet above a campsite at Flowing Lake Park.
The bird apparently hung upside down from a tree for hours before authorities were alerted. Firefighters and park rangers worked together to bring the bird—nicknamed Russell Crow—safely down and remove the fishing line wrapped around one of his legs. Because the rescue happened on a Sunday, when the local wildlife rehabilitation center was closed, a camp host provided food and water and cared for the crow overnight. By Monday morning, Russell Crow was able to fly away.
Snohomish County firefighters gently remove fishing line from the crow’s leg. Credit: Snohomish County Fire District 4 (shared with permission)
“Our firefighters utilized their training to respond to this call for service to help an untraditional patient,” Snohomish County Fire District 4 Chief Don Waller wrote to PETA, adding that he hopes the crow is now “soaring the skies.”
“This is a good reminder to not litter and to dispose of fishing line responsibly,” wrote Waller.
“This crow was suffering a terrifying ordeal and would have died of dehydration or starvation, but is now free thanks to the compassion and swift action of first responders,” says PETA Senior Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “Snohomish County is lucky to have firefighters and park rangers who are looking out for every member of the community, and PETA hopes this story will inspire others to give animals in need a helping hand.”
Snohomish County Fire District 4 and Snohomish County Parks & Recreation will each receive a framed certificate from PETA, along with delicious vegan chocolates, in recognition of their kindness.
PETA notes that discarded fishing gear kills hundreds of thousands of birds, whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, turtles, and other non-target animals every year, and that fishing is horrifically cruel to its intended victims, who suffer intensely when pulled from the water and allowed to suffocate. PETA encourages people to go vegan to spare fish and other animals harmed by fishing.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that when it comes to the ability to feel pain, hunger, and thirst, a crow is a dog is a boy. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
