Passers-by noticed the muddy, scared dog a little before 6 p.m. and flagged down a passing Bangor police officer, Higgins said. Engine 1 was dispatched and firefighters used a 24-foot ladder to reach the dog.

Firefighter Bruce Johnson climbed the ladder and “made friends with the dog a little bit” before scooping it up and carrying it down the ladder, Higgins said.

Bangor City Councilor Ben Sprague was on his way home from a meeting when he noticed the rescue and stopped to take video. He posted the video to YouTube.

The dog, which was wearing a leash, slipped out a door at a Union Street home as the people who were taking care of the pet were taking it out for a walk, Higgins said. The dog was missing for about two hours before someone spotted it on the ledge.

The dog’s caretakers arrived shortly before firefighters brought the retriever down the ladder.

Higgins said the dog didn’t appear to need a visit the veterinarian, but it did need a bath.

“These are the kinds of things our guys like to do from time to time,” Higgins said, adding that firefighters have a “tender affection” for animals and relish the chance to help them when they can.