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Brave RSPCA Inspector Rescues Trapped Dog From Ice-Covered River

Brave RSPCA Inspector Rescues Trapped Dog From Ice-Covered River

The daring rescue was filmed on a GoPro

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A brave RSPCA inspector didn't think twice about entering freezing cold water to rescue a dog that had become stuck in the ice.

In a clip aired on Channel 5's The Dog Rescuers, Inspector Jaqui Miller came to the rescue of pooch Hardy who had become trapped in ice in the River Wansbeck in Ashington, Northumberland last year.


Inspector Miller said: "We were really worried about poor Hardy as he had been stuck in the ice for about an hour in the freezing cold water.

"He had been out walking with his dog walker when he had run into the river not realising that the minus six-degree weather we've had recently had frozen the water. His dog walker told us he's so used to paddling in the river and the sea that he just bounded off hoping for a little swim."

Firefighters were called to the incident and helped attach Miller to a rope so they could pull her back if she became in danger. A GoPro she was wearing at the time helped capture the daring rescue mission.

Miller added: "I made sure I was securely fastened to my swift water rescue kit and started across the ice. As I got closer to Hardy I could hear him whimpering and I kept calling back to him to try and reassure the poor dog. I managed to grab him by his scruff and help Hardy push himself up onto the ice.

"He must have been freezing because he didn't hang around but scampered off towards his dog walker as soon as he could.

"The firefighters then tugged on the rope which was attached to me and pulled me back onto land where I could check Hardy over. He had a small cut on his paw and was pretty cold but apart from this he was absolutely fine.

Hardy was rescued after being stuck in the ice.
RSPCA

"I'd like to say a huge thank you to the fire services, without their assistance I wouldn't have been able to rescue poor Hardy. They were brilliant in putting a contingency rescue plan in place - and it paid off as we brought Hardy to safety!"

Once back on dry land, Hardy's dog walker, Inspector Miller and the firefighters wrapped him up in a towel and helped warm him up.

"When you get to be involved in a successful rescue, it makes you remember this is why we do the job," Inspector Miller added.

"It gives you that good, fuzzy feeling, you know you did something good that day. It's a great feeling to be able to have saved Hardy and return him to his owner, just in time for Christmas!

"His owner Louise said it would have been a horrible Christmas without him but the best Christmas ever once he was rescued."

Featured Image Credit: RSPCA

Topics: RSPCA, UK News, Animals, Dogs