Heroic Rescue: Dog Pulled From Frozen River After Being Trapped For An Hour
A black Labrador named Hardy is safe and sound after being rescued from a frozen river in Northumberland, England, thanks to the brave efforts of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
On December 13, 2017, Hardy ventured onto the icy River Wansbeck and soon found himself trapped in the frozen water. For nearly an hour, the 9-year-old dog struggled to stay afloat as freezing temperatures surrounded him.
When the RSPCA arrived, Officer Jaqui Miller quickly prepared for a dangerous rescue. Secured with a safety rope by local firefighters, she crawled carefully across the ice toward the frightened dog.
Body cam footage captured the tense moment as Miller reached Hardy, broke through the ice, and pulled him to safety — a powerful reminder of the risks that rescuers take to save animals in distress.
After being wrapped in blankets and warmed up, Hardy was reunited with his worried owner. Fortunately, aside from a small cut on his paw and being chilled from the icy water, Hardy made a full recovery.
“He had a small cut on his paw and was pretty cold, but apart from this, he was absolutely fine,” Miller told reporters after visiting Hardy later that day.
The RSPCA later issued an important warning to pet owners: never try to rescue animals trapped on ice by yourself. Instead, call emergency services or animal rescue professionals.
“Frozen ponds, lakes and rivers can be incredibly dangerous,” the organization emphasized. “Please keep dogs on a lead near frozen water and always call for help if they get stuck.”
Thanks to quick action and teamwork, Hardy’s story had a happy ending — a warm reunion after a terrifying hour in the freezing cold.