Dog falls into icy pond, rescued by Coitsville Fire Department

Responders from the Coitsville Fire Department and Poland Fire Department were called out to the 4400 Block of McGuffey Road to help rescue a dog that had fallen through ice.

The pit bull mix was running around outdoors with his owners when he ran out onto the ice of a pond and broke through. 

The owners and friends tried to retrieve the dog themselves using ladders across the ice but were unsuccessful. 

It was determined that responders needed to intervene when the dog appeared to be very lethargic and could not rescue himself. Responders were worried that he would go under without intervention. 

The methods of rescue were explained to 21 News by the Coitsville Fire Chief, stating, " We have ice rescue suits and all of the rigging, so we'll get on scene and we'll have a line tethered and a rescuer in the suit... they'll go out and make the grab, and we'll pull them back to shore."

The dog is expected to make a full recovery according to the responders. 

The Coitsville Fire Department called upon Poland Fire Department for mutual aid, but Coitsville responders had acquired the dog before Poland arrived.