Dog News

Police Officers Rescue German shepherd from Icy River

by Katherine

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When Sean O’Malley from Ashland, Md., received a phone call from police officers telling him his German shepherd was ok, he had no idea what they were talking about, but he was glad to know his dog was ok.

Five-year-old Anna, escaped the Katherine Drive home through a doggie door while her owner was at work. The dog jumped a fence and took a stroll along Sudbury River about 2 to 3 miles away from home. While on her adventure, she fell through a thin layer of ice on the river and fought to stay alive.

Ashland police officers Michael Dionne (left) and Chris Alberini pose with Anna. Photo Credit: Ashland Police
Ashland police officers Michael Dionne (left) and Chris Alberini pose with Anna. Photo Credit: Ashland Police

Around 3 p.m., police officers received a distressed call about a dog in danger and Officers Chris Alberini and Michael Dionne were dispatched to the scene. Animal Control Officer Al Johnson joined the two officers.

The officers assessed the situation and decided it would be best to wait for the fire department to arrive with the right equipment to attempt a rescue. However, Officer Alberini, who is partnered with K-9 officer Dax, didn’t think Anna had the strength and the will to fight until the rescue unit’s arrival.

“[Alberini] tied a 30-foot-leash around himself and Officer Dionne,” Sgt. Greg Fawkes told Metro West Daily News. “[Johnson] held the other end as Alberini crawled onto the ice. He tried lassoing the dog with another leash, and she was smart enough to bite it and try to pull herself out, but she couldn’t do it. He finally was able to use the animal control officer’s pole and pulled her out.”

Once the dog was safe, officers made arrangements to find her owner and reunite the two.

“[The officer] went across the ice like a superhero and saved her,” said O’Malley. “I’m just fortunate that the call was my dog was fine.”

Anna seemed uninjured from her icy adventure and she is now at home making a full recovery.