Firefighters Rescue Fallen Dog Through Thin Ice in Dutchess County

Winter Weather Blows Through the Hudson Valley

As November came to an end, the winter weather decided it was time to make landfall in and around the Hudson Valley.

In early December parts of the region were hit with over 5 inches of snow and closer to a foot in higher elevations. The gusty winds and temperature drops made for a frosty few days to kick off the holiday season.

It also cause some smaller bodies of water to develop a thin layer of ice. That ice caused a scary situation in Dutchess County for one dog owner.

Local Fire Department Saves Dog From Dangerous Ice

The J.H. Ketcham Hose Company, out of Dover Plains, New York shared on social media that back on December 5th, 2024 they were dispatched "to a dog that had fallen through the ice."

As the crew headed out to the scene the received reports that the dogs owner was also in the water trying to assist the dog.

After arriving on the scene crews from 36-12 "quickly donned the proper ice water rescue PPE," got on the ice and were successfully able to save the dog.

On Monday night, December 9th, 2024 Rollo, the dog, and his owner stopped by J.H. Ketcham Hose Company to thank the crew who saved him. The fire department goes on to say "A big thank you to all other first responders who came out to assist. This is a great reminder of how dangerous ice covered water is."

Keeping Your Pet Safe During Harsh New York Winters

The American Kennel Club has a ton of suggestions and recommendations when it comes to keeping your pets safe during the winter months.

As for ice safety the AKC says "Too often we hear stories of dogs that had to be rescued from icy waters (and those are the lucky ones). It might look like fun to slide across that frozen pond."

They add that ice can easily crack and your dog could obviously fall in making for a difficult and possibly fatal outcome. They also add that pets slipping on the ice can "lead to muscle strains and other injuries."

Protecting your pups paws, as well as bundling them up in jackets and limiting their time outside during the colder months are just a few of the was The American Kennel Club suggests keeping your pet safe during the winter months.