Thanks to the brave firefighters of the Perry Joint Fire District, a lost and highly endangered dog has been reunited with his family this week.
The local police alerted the fire rescue team to a terrified dog who had broken through the ice of a frozen creek and was trapped in the frigid water. They immediately rushed to his aid.
Koda the Bull Mastiff/Lab mix and his brother Hank had gotten loose from the family home a few days prior. Hank was quickly captured, but Koda became spooked and took off into the woods. With the weather dropping below freezing, each day that passed increased the family’s anxiety.
They scoured their Lake County, Ohio community and turned to Facebook to plea for his safe return. The North Perry Police received several tips of Koda sightings, but were never able to nab the skittish pooch. Then, on December 15, officers took another call that Koda had been spotted once again.
They located the dog, but unfortunately he had fallen through the ice of a small creek and the officers did not have the equipment to rescue him. They contacted the Perry Joint Fire District who donned water rescue gear and sprang to action. They posted photos of the dramatic rescue to their Facebook page.
After pulling Koda to safety, they wrapped him in heating blankets and delivered him to a local veterinarian for care. Despite having been trapped in the water for about 40 minutes, Koda did not suffer any serious injury or illness.
Thanks to the combined efforts of the police, firefighters and the community, Koda is back at home with his family in time for Christmas!
H/T to The UK Telegraph
