On Jan. 3, 2014, a group of hero firefighters from Coventry (Anthony) Fire District, Rhode Island, were dispatched to rescue a German shepherd struggling to stay alive in sub-zero waters after falling through thin ice.
According to the pet’s owner, Dallas escaped from home when the canine ran after a deer. While on the chase, the German shepherd ventured onto the frozen lake and fell through the ice.
The call for help came in around 9:30 a.m. Firefighters Stephen Mann and Joe Hartman used a sled and ice recovery suits on their attempt to rescue the canine.
When the rescue team arrived on scene they could see the dog struggling for its life.
“The dog was very close to going under for good,” Chief Paul Labbadia told Patch.com.
It is estimated Dallas spent five minutes submerged in the water before being rescued. Firefighters pulled the dog out, dried and warmed up the trembling pet with blanket.
Thanks to the pet’s collar and identification tags, the owners were identified and contacted. Soon after they were reunited with their deer-chasing dog.