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02/09/2016 11:00 PMGuilford firefighters rushed to save two stranded dogs from the icy waters of Mill Pond on Feb. 9 after a witness reported seeing them fall through the thin ice. Through a coordinated rescue effort by firefighters, police, and animal rescue, the two huskies are now back with their owner, safe and warm.
Guilford Fire Department Captain Mike Shove said firefighters were dispatched to the scene at approximately 11:30 a.m.
“Our on duty shift responded and saw the dogs out on the ice and we put on our ice rescue suits and one of our firefighters, Dave Lindgren, went out on the ice and pulled the dogs out one at a time and got them back to shore,” he said.
Shove said the fluctuating temperatures this winter have made the ice particularly dangerous.
“This weather continues to build ice, but it is not solid ice so the biggest message is really not to go out on the ice unless it is posted that it is OK,” he said.
After being pulled from the pond, the dogs were taken to an animal shelter to be checked out. Shove said this is the first ice rescue call they have responded to in town this year, but the department is always ready.
“Every year we train for this and so, if we get called out like yesterday, we are able to make a difference,” he said. “And even though we send one person out on the ice, there are seven other people there as part of a team. It is a coordinated effort.”
Animal Control Officer Danielle D’Auria confirmed the dogs were given a clean bill of health. She said accidents like this do happen, but there are certain precautions all dog owners should take.
“The best way to prevent this is to make sure you have complete control of your dog at all times,” she said. “If you are out walking, keeping them on a leash, always be making sure you keep an eye on them because it only takes a second for these things to happen.”
D’Auria said that if accidents like this occur, the first rule is to not venture out on the ice.
“Never go out on the ice yourself,” she said. “Don’t panic and put yourself in danger as well. Calling the fire department is definitely the best step; they have the training and the equipment to get everybody out safely.”