WEST FAIRLEE — A bulldog died after the car it was riding in rolled into Lake Fairlee on Sunday afternoon.

West Fairlee Fire Department responded to the call at about 2:30 p.m. after the operator thought she had put the vehicle in park and got out near the lake’s boat launch, West Fairlee Firefighter Terry Straight, who was in charge at the scene, said by phone Monday.

After the driver exited the Toyota RAV4, the car began to roll down the embankment and into Lake Fairlee.

There were multiple dogs in the car, one of which drowned.

The car wound up about 70 feet from shore in water as deep as 20 feet. With the help of Hanover Fire Department’s dive team, firefighters were able to pull the vehicle from the water over the course of about two hours.

Vershire Fire Department, Vermont State Police and Vermont Fish and Game also responded.

Straight said it is standard procedure to notify Fish and Game when a vehicle enters the water.

West Fairlee does have a water rescue unit, but Straight said none of the personnel were in town at the time of the incident. Hanover has a dive team on call 24/7.

West Fairlee Fire Chief Cory Austin said there was a similar incident less than a year ago when another car not fully in park rolled into Lake Fairlee.