A New Year’s Day walk took a frightening turn in Rhode Island when a dog fell through the ice of a frozen pond and had to be rescued by local firefighters.
The incident happened Thursday morning at Little Masachaug Pond in Westerly. A yellow Labrador retriever named Phoenix was out walking with his owner when he wandered onto the icy surface. The ice gave way beneath him, plunging the dog into the freezing water.
Emergency crews from the Misquamicut Fire Department and Watch Hill Fire Department responded quickly after receiving a call just before 9 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find Phoenix struggling in the slushy pond as temperatures hovered around 26 degrees Fahrenheit.
Rescuers put on specialized ice rescue suits and carefully made their way across the frozen surface. Using training and safety equipment designed for cold-water emergencies, they were able to reach Phoenix and pull him to safety without further incident.
Despite the dangerous conditions, firefighters said the dog remained surprisingly calm during the rescue. Deputy Chief Steve Howard later described Phoenix as one of the calmest animals he had ever encountered during an emergency situation.
Phoenix was not injured and did not require veterinary care. Firefighters on scene were evaluated for possible cold exposure, but no medical treatment was needed.
The successful rescue marked the fire departments’ first call of the new year. Officials used the incident to remind the public that ice on ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water can be unpredictable and dangerous, even when it appears solid.
“No ice is ever truly safe,” firefighters warned, urging people to keep pets on a leash near frozen water and to avoid walking on ice altogether.
After his chilly ordeal, Phoenix returned home, where he reportedly enjoyed a warm meal and some well-earned rest.
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