(Orange County)- At 6:23 am this morning, Orange County deputies were dispatched to a residence on Rapidan Hills Road for a dog trapped in an ice covered pond.
Upon arrival, the deputy observed a large yellow lab had broken through the ice and was stranded about 50 feet from shore. The lab was standing in shallow water, up to his chest and surrounded by ice. As deputy turned to walk back to the vehicle to call for help, the lab started barking in desperation.
Lake of the Woods Fire and Rescue was called and two firefighters arrived with rescue equipment. A ladder was extended onto the ice and Firefighter Aaron Lovell donned an ice rescue suit. Lovell crawled onto the ice and pushed the ladder toward the dog. When the ladder tip reached the hole, Lovell crawled out the ladder toward the dog. As he neared the end of the ladder, the ice cracked and Lovell fell into the water.
Fortunately, the water was shallow and Lovell was able to grab the dog. Lovell helped the dog onto the ladder and the firefighter and deputies pulled both to shore. The dog was soaking wet and violently shivering. The lab was taken to Lake of the Woods Veterinarian office for emergency treatment. The vet reports the lab is recovering and will be released later today.
(Photo: Orange County Sheriff’s Office)