Local emergency personnel received some on-the-job training as they rescued a dog from icy waters on March 4.
The Manawa Rural Fire Department and Manawa Ambulance Service both responded on March 4 to a call regarding a dog that fell into the Little Wolf River along County Highway B, south of Manawa.
The dog was unable to get itself out of the water and back onto the ice. It is estimated the dog was in the water for at least 45 minutes before the call was made to the Waupaca County Sheriff’s dispatch center.
The fire department responded with 12 members and the ambulance went to the scene with two EMTs. All members moved quickly, with the dark approaching.
Three members suited up in their dry suits, and used the ice rescue sled to make their way out to retrieve the dog. Once the dog was back on dry ground, the EMTs took over and worked to warm up the dog.
Normally the dog would be turned over to the dog pound, but a call was received from the county’s dispatch center as to who the owner was. The ambulance crew returned the animal to his home.
The family was happy to see the dog, as it had been reported missing a couple of days earlier.