Rescuers risk lives to save dog

ENON, Ohio (WDTN) - An amazing ice rescue took place in Clark County at George Rogers Park.

Rescue crews risked their lives to save a dog stranded in the middle of the lake.

The dog appeared to be a fixated on a hole in the ice. Crews were concerned that the dog's owner might have fallen through it.

Alice and JJ Miller were walking their dogs when they noticed the dog in the middle of the lake, and called authorities.

"Poor thing. He's probably freezing cold and too scared to move, and whatever's in the water. He's a dedicated, a loyal pet," said Alice Miller.

Volunteer firefighters put on dry suits, harnessed ropes onto their waists and treaded on the crackling ice, trying to get to the dog.

They didn't get too far. Springfield Township Firefighter, Andy Merritt fell through the ice, and struggled to get back onto solid ground.

That did not stop the rescue effort. Firefighters got back out there again, this time crawling on all fours.

Merritt fell through the ice again and had to be hauled onto solid ground by holding onto the safety rope.

"The suit did it's job. It brought me back to the surface. I never had a feeling I was going to go under or drown," said Merritt.

Firefighters decided the ice was too thin, so they got in a boat and used the oars to chop through the icy waters.

As they got closer to the hole, the dog panicked and fell through the ice. Firefighters were able to pull her safely on board.

Springfield Township Firefighter, Mandy Anderson said the dog was shivering. She pulled her into her vest to keep her warm through body heat.

Firefighters also pulled two dead dogs from the hole. Authorities believed the dogs were playing on the ice when two of them fell through. The third dog refused to leave her friends behind. She stood by the hole, waiting for them to resurface.

"It's unconditional love, absolutely, no matter what," said Anderson.

Anderson said she hoped to adopt the dog.

Animal control officers said there would have to hold the animal for three days, and try to locate the owner.