Rescuers' heroic efforts save man and dog from icy plunge
A dangerous situation occurred in the city of Wellesley, in the American state of Massachusetts. The ice gave way beneath a dog, and his owner experienced a nightmare trying to rescue him. The local police department posted a video of the rescue operation online.
On Sunday, January 12, the authorities in Wellesley received a report of a dog owner who, along with his pet, fell through the ice on Lake Waban while out walking the animal.
The man attempted to rescue his dog
“We rounded the corner and saw a pier leading onto the ice. The dog spotted some birds and chased after them,” said Ed Berger, the dog’s owner, in an interview with NBC Boston.
The victim explained that he asked the people present to call emergency services and then, with the aid of a boat, tried to rescue his pet by himself. Unfortunately, his attempt was unsuccessful.
“There's nothing more terrifying than not being able to reach your dog. You love him as if he were family,” Berger emphasised.
The victim could not return to the shore independently
In the video posted online by the local police, a group of rescuers is seen, dressed in specialised gear, crawling to the middle of the lake to assist the man and his dog, Tommy.
"Both the man and the dog were too far from the shore and couldn't return," reported the local services.
According to NBC Boston, Ed Berger spent about 10 to 15 minutes in the freezing water, and his eight-year-old cocker spaniel nearly half an hour. The services reported that the man and his pet received the necessary assistance, and both have returned home.
