Rescuers End 2024 by Saving Golden Retriever Stuck in Frigid River Water After Crashing Through Ice

Mar. 15, 2025

An Ottawa Fire Services rescuer reaches a dog who fell through the ice in the Ottawa River.Photo:OFS Photographer Jean Lalonde

OFS Photographer Jean Lalonde

Rescuers in Ottawa ended 2024 on a high note, springing into action to save “Tika,” a golden retriever who fell through the ice on the Ottawa River on Monday, Dec. 30.According to a release, Ottawa Fire Services received a 911 call at approximately 2:55 p.m. local time from the owners, who reported that their dog was at the end of an ice shelf near a boat launch in the river.

A rescuer aboard a fortuna reaches “Tika” a golden retriever who fell through the ice in the Ottawa River.OFS Photographer Jean Lalonde

When ice rescuers arrived on the scene, they found the dog about 30 feet from the shore, struggling to keep its head above the water and afloat.

Using a fortuna, a type of rapid deployment rescue craft, the ice rescue technicians were able to reach the dog in the water and bring it safely to shore at around 3:20 p.m.

Inthe news release posted to X, Ottawa Fire Services commended Tika’s owners for not attempting to rescue the pet themselves. “Credit to the owners who did exactly what we always preach if this happens: Called 9-1-1, stayed on land, and didn’t try to make the rescue themselves,” the release read.

A rescuer helps “Tika” the golden retriever onto dry land.OFS Photographer Jean Lalonde

Among the rescues was an elderly woman who fell intoa pond in Stittsville, Ontario, after trying to pull her dog from the water. The woman received treatment for hypothermia symptoms and was transported to a hospital with serious injuries, paramedics said at the time.

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Ottawa Fire Services deploy rescue crafts to reach a dog stuck in the Ottawa River.OFS Photographer Jean Lalonde

“If your dog does go through the ice, never go in and try to rescue them. Call 911 and try your best to get a visual signal on your pet,” Ottawa fire spokesperson Nick Defazio said in the article.According to the Canadian Red Cross, ice should be at least 15 centimeters for a single person or 20 centimeters for a group to stand on the ice.

Ottawa Fire Services recommends that pet owners keep their pets on a leash at all times when near bodies of water to prevent the need for rescues.

source: people.com