First responders are reminding residents to stay off waterways during fluctuating temperatures after firefighters sagely rescued a dog and a resident that fell through the ice on a portion of the Rideau River.
“This incident serves as an important reminder to residents: never venture onto the ice to attempt a rescue yourself,” Ottawa Fire Services said in a post on X. “Your best chance of survival, and your pet’s, is to remain on shore and immediately call 9-1-1.”
Firefighters were called shortly after 1:15 p.m. Saturday by a bystander reporting that a dog had fallen through the ice near the intersection of Strandherd Drive and Prince of Wales Drive. The caller reported the dog was partially submerged and clinging to the ice with its front paws.
When crews arrived, they spotted the dog, but also identified a resident who had attempted to rescue the animal and subsequently fell through the ice.
The Ice Rescue Team established a tethered rescue system and deployed.
Both the resident and the dog were safely rescued and brough to shore.
Both were assessed by paramedics.