Cary Firefighters Save Dog That Slipped Down Hill, Fell Into Icy Lake

Cary firefighters are being credited with saving the life of a 14-year-old Collie that slipped down a slippery, snow- and ice-packed hill and through the ice of Silver Lake in Oakwood Hills on Sunday morning, according to the Northwest Herald. Duke’s owner, Kevin Rutherford, found Duke about 100 feet out in the lake, struggling to get out.

Rutherford called 911 and Cary firefighters quickly responded. Firefighter EMT-B Alex Bleich and firefighter paramedic Beth Taylor put on flotation suits and swam out to Duke where they were able to hold onto the dog while a rope was used to pull them back to shore, according to the article. Firefighters estimated Duke had been in the water for 30 minutes and was about to go under when they got out to him.

Duke was taken to an area animal hospital where he was treated for hypothermia. The dog returned home that night and is not expected to have any permanent health issues, according to the Northwest Herald.

You can read the full story on the Northwest Herald.