A two-year-old Collie named Doug fell through the thin ice of a 20-foot-deep pond at his rural Ottumwa home earlier this week and was pulled to safety Monday afternoon by Wapello County Rural Fire Chief Loren McIntosh and Wapello County Deputy Sheriff Marty Wonderland.

The single-animal rescue unfolded after emergency responders arrived at the property and found Doug struggling in the partially frozen water, officials said. Responders reported the dog was shivering, in shock and slowly losing strength when crews reached the scene. The Wapello County volunteer fire department joined the sheriff’s office to assist with the recovery.

Chief McIntosh, who was on site, improvised with a small kayak to reach the distressed dog. According to McIntosh, she pushed the kayak into the icy pond and entered the water to effect the rescue. “I just went for it and thought, you know, if I flip the kayak, it won’t be the first time I get in the water, but it’s going to be cold,” she said.

Deputy Wonderland described tense moments as the pair worked to bring Doug aboard the kayak. “I grabbed him, his head went down below the water, and I pulled him back up,” Wonderland said. “I mean, the water is cold.” Officials said the dog was retrieved while still shivering and appeared to be in shock; responders lifted him from the pond and moved him to shore immediately.

On shore, Doug received an initial medical assessment. Officials described him as “in pretty good health” after being warmed and examined at the scene, though details about where he is being cared for now were not disclosed in the initial account. Responders credited quick action and on-site warming measures with stabilizing the dog following the recovery.

The operation involved two people and one dog and concluded with Doug alive and recovering. “He’s lucky. I mean, he could have drowned,” Wonderland said, underscoring how close the call had been. Authorities said the fast coordinated response between the sheriff’s office and volunteer fire personnel was central to the successful outcome.

A video is available online and captures the kayak approach and the effort to bring the Collie to shore. The footage shows rescuers reaching Doug in the partially frozen water and working together to get him out; the video was posted to a public platform by local authorities and circulated by residents.

Volunteer fire departments and other community fire services commonly assist in animal rescues, officials noted, responding to emergencies where animals are trapped, injured or in hazardous environments. These units often provide manpower, equipment and training for situations such as pets falling through ice, livestock stuck in mud or trailers, and wildlife caught in structures.

Cold-weather dangers for pets were highlighted by the incident. Common risks include hypothermia and frostbite, especially on exposed areas such as ears, noses and paws, as well as secondary hazards like poisoning from ingesting ice-melt products or antifreeze. Those risks can be mitigated by keeping pets indoors during extreme cold, limiting outdoor time, and using protective clothing and booties when appropriate.

Pet owners are advised to take simple steps to keep animals safe through winter: keep pets inside during severe cold, limit outdoor exposure, and wipe down paws and bellies after walks to remove salt, ice and chemical residues. Officials said the community response in this case — neighbors notifying authorities and emergency crews acting quickly — was a clear example of how prevention and prompt action together can save lives.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.