CLINTON, Utah –Two dogs were rescued after falling into icy ponds Monday.
The accidents occurred in Herriman and Clinton. In Clinton, one dog owner tried to save her pet on her own, but only made the situation more dangerous.
Madison Gianos and her dog Lady were out for a stroll Monday morning at a community park when Lady noticed ducks in a frozen pond.
“She saw the ducks and went right for them,” Gianos said.
Gianos panicked and immediately jumped into the icy water.
“When I grabbed her there was the weight of both of us and I fell right in,” she said. “It was so cold.”
After a few minutes in the pond, Gianos managed to pull herself out.
“I was like clawing at the ice so I could get off,” Gianos said. “She was trying to get on me so she could get up.”
But Lady was too heavy. Several people ice fishing nearby, came to their aid.
“They had like the tie down straps. They were trying to lasso her,” Gianos said.
Nothing worked so they called 911.
Clinton City firefighters pulled out their ladder and got right to work.
“Within 10 minutes, we were able to do some basic techniques and get the dog out of the ice,” said Capt. Tim Vega with the Clinton City Fire Department. “We were able to call off our ice rescue team.”
Aside from being very cold, both ended their adventure unharmed.
“Dogs are family. That’s why I went out there. I was like, 'I need to get her,'” Gianos said.
Meanwhile, a dog in Herriman ran into the same sort of trouble. Thanks to Unified Fire Authority crews, the dog made it out of the frigid water safely.
First responders say they don’t get these types of calls often but train year round just in case.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, where your animal has fallen into an icy pond, do not try to go in and rescue them. Call 911 immediately so first responders can handle it and you don't compromise your safety.
