CONYERS, Ga. (AP) -- An animal rights group is recognizing Rockdale County firefighters who saved a dog that fell down a well. The Virginia-based People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals has awarded its Compassionate Fire Department Award to county fire crews for rescuing Leslie, a Rottweiler-Labrador mix earlier this month.

The Rockdale Citizen reports that Leslie fell down a 20-foot well on her family's property and got stuck there for a week. The dog's owner, Melissa Johnson, and her family had been searching for the dog and finally located it in the well.

Firefighters and animal control officers came to the house. One rescuer used a ladder to descend into the well and attached a harness around the dog. The pet was then pulled up to safety and reunited with its family.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)