Firefighters in Andover, Massachusetts, rescued a dog that fell through the ice at a pond off Holt Road on Friday morning, responding quickly to a call that reported an animal in distress.

Members of the Andover Fire Department arrived at the scene and found the dog struggling in frigid water after breaking through thin ice. Firefighters donned cold-water rescue suits, deployed a small rescue craft and then entered the pond to reach the animal, according to scene images provided with the department’s report and subsequent local coverage.

Crews waded into knee- to chest-deep water around the partially frozen edge while a team on the craft maneuvered to a position where they could secure the dog. Photographs from the incident show rescuers wearing protective suits and life vests working in coordinated fashion to stabilize and lift the wet animal back to shore. After bringing the dog to land, Andover Animal Control took custody and transported it to an area animal hospital for veterinary evaluation.

The department and local outlets, including a Boston 25 News report that covered the scene, confirmed the basic chronology but did not provide an update on the dog’s condition after arrival at the hospital. The Andover Fire Department and Andover Animal Control handled the rescue and transport on site.

Responders emphasized the hazards posed by winter ice in general terms; no additional statements from officials were released with the incident images. Dogs playing near frozen lakes, ponds or rivers risk falling through thin or unstable ice, which can lead to cold-water immersion, hypothermia and drowning, especially since no ice is without risk and even thick ice may be weakened by freeze–thaw cycles. Dogs playing near frozen bodies of water are also vulnerable to other winter hazards, including getting lost if they run off on snow-covered terrain or becoming exposed to the cold for prolonged periods.

The Andover rescue illustrates the type of specialized response that communities in colder climates prepare for during winter months. Agencies in colder, snowy areas often maintain cold-water and ice-rescue equipment and train personnel to operate small rescue craft and don insulated, buoyant suits so firefighters can work safely in icy conditions. By contrast, jurisdictions with milder winters may focus more on outreach, temporary sheltering and different resource needs.

Officials at the scene used protective suits and the craft both to reach the dog quickly and to protect rescuers from hazards presented by the thin ice and near-freezing water. The rescue images show team members coordinating from the shoreline and the craft, then carrying the animal to the bank. After rescuers helped the dog onto shore, animal control staff assumed responsibility for transport to a veterinary facility for assessment and any necessary treatment.

Local reporting highlighted the department’s swift on-scene response and the interagency coordination that took place between firefighters and animal control. The incident adds to a seasonal pattern of winter pet emergencies that communities encounter each year and underscores why many departments keep cold-water rescue capabilities available during the colder months.

While the immediate rescue was successful in removing the dog from hazardous conditions, there was no public update on the animal’s medical status in the department’s account or in accompanying coverage. The Andover Fire Department provided the scene images and confirmed its role in the water rescue; Andover Animal Control completed the transfer to a nearby animal hospital for evaluation.

For more scene detail, including photographs of the rescue operation, see the original local report by Boston 25 News. ‘Ruff’ Winter: ASPCA Tips For Keeping Your Pet Safe.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.