Fire crews saved a dog after he ran onto thin ice on the Red Deer River.
Around 9:48 a.m., Red Deer Emergency Services were called to a report of a border collie in distress on the Red Deer River Saturday. Crews located the dog across from the Little Chief Park area after a bystander saw the dog in distress.
Crews were able to get the dog safely with the use of a animal control pole.
Gary Engebretson, platoon chief with Red Deer Emergency Services, said the dog had difficulty moving its rear legs, and it was transferred to a vet clinic in Red Deer.
Although Emergency Services do not conduct as many pet rescues as they do deer rescues, they are asking pet owners to be vigilant.
Engebretson said the border collie was the first pet rescue this winter. Crews have also conducted a person rescue this season.
They would like to remind people that it is not safe for people or their pets to walk on the river’s ice. There are weak spots in the ice that can give way at any moment.
People are also asked to not go out on the ice to help a person or pet in distress on the ice, but instead call 911.
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