October 26, 2003.
A dog was trapped and in distress in a downtown Vancouver apartment today -- his owner nowhere to be found. And while neighbours rallied to have the animal freed, they found there was little they could do other than watch.

This morning neighbours realized Walter, the Cocker Spaniel, was in trouble.

Concerned residents placed frantic calls, to the owner, who they could not reach. They contacted the fire department and the SPCA, but they couldn't do anything about it.

The SPCA says they would need a warrant to enter the apartment and rescue the dog. They would only do that if the dog was visibly dying.

Finally, the building's strata president stepped in, hiring a locksmith to open the door, and free the little the dog.

Walter found the first patch of green he could get his paws on and while he seems to be okay, those who worked to free him are wondering why it had to take so long.

Walter has been taken by the SPCA to see a vet. Meanwhile, his owner was finally contacted late today and the SPCA is investigating.