In a heartwarming act of heroism, firefighters in Minnesota pulled off a successful rescue operation and saved a dog who fell into an icy lake. The Baldwin Fire Department sprung into action following a distress call on a Sunday morning from concerned neighbors. They reported that the dog was stranded in the frigid waters of Little Elk Lake, situated to the northwest of Minneapolis.
Minnesota firefighters rescue dog from icy lake
Upon arrival, rescuers found the dog, named Hades, in a dire state. He was battling the cold and struggling to keep afloat. Swiftly springing into action, the firefighters managed to extricate Hades from the icy waters, ensuring his immediate transfer to the fire station. There, they dried him off and warmed him up.
The fire department documented the rescue operation on Facebook, sharing images of Hades swaddled in blankets and receiving oxygen care — per Scripps News. Following the initial rescue and stabilization efforts, Hades was further attended to by a local animal shelter, which then facilitated his transfer to an animal hospital for comprehensive medical evaluation. Fortunately, the medical team confirmed that Hades didn’t suffer any respiratory issues, such as gurgling sounds in his lungs, from his icy plunge. The focus then shifted to restoring his body temperature to normal levels.
By Sunday evening, the Mille Lacs County Animal Care & Protection announced that they had found the dog’s owner, allowing for a happy reunion. They praised the team effort that led to saving the dog from his scary experience in the icy water. “Though shaken by his icy ordeal, his second chance to wag his tail is a testament to the incredible teamwork that saved him,” said the shelter.
While it remains a mystery how Hades ended up in such a dangerous situation, his story serves as a reminder of the quick and compassionate response of the local community and rescue teams in times of need.
