Dog falls through ice on Swan River

The Ferndale Fire Department and Ferndale Fire and Animal Control responded to a call about a dog that had fallen through the ice on Swan River near Kirby Lane at approximately 9:03 a.m. on Jan. 19.

“The dog had rescued itself and was on top of the ice by the time we got there,” Ferndale Fire Chief Ken Sharr said. “Our department's policy is that we do not risk the lives of our members to rescue animals from off the ice. We strongly urge the public not to do so either, as far as I've been here, people go through the ice trying to rescue a dog and we strongly urge people not to do that.”

Responders tried to coax the dog over to them while it was out about 100 feet from land, but the dog would not come.

“I think he was just attempting to cross the river, he was on a straight line and fell in and was confused about where to go next,” Sharr said.

Ferndale Fire Department is equipped to rescue people that fall through the ice and Sharr estimates calls about animals falling through the ice happen every couple of years.

 “The main reason we go to the calls is it's human nature for the public to want to go out on the ice and do something,” Sharr said. “We go there because we were dispatched and we know somebody will try to do something.”

It was later reported to the Ferndale Fire Department that the dog was seen “romping around and appearing just fine.”