Ottawa Fire Services rescued “multiple” dogs that fell through ice in the nation’s capital over December.
The latest incident — caught on camera — shows a golden retriever struggling to stay afloat in the Ottawa River in the city’s east end. It happened on Dec. 30 in the late afternoon near the Blair Road Boat Launch.
Officials said that just before 3:00 p.m. a 911 call reported a dog, named Tika, had fallen through an ice shelf in the water and couldn’t get out of the river. The caller identified themselves as the dog’s owner. Quickly crews descended to the 300 block of Blair Road and confirmed a dog about 30 feet from the shore.
Using a fortuna, a rescue craft, firefighters with the ice rescue team made their way out to Tika. At about 3:20 p.m. the dog was saved and back on land, “doing well” officials said.
Firefighters are praising the dog’s owners who did exactly as they hope everyone would react in this situation: Stay on land and did not try to rescue Tika themselves.
“Our response times are fast and our Ice Rescue Teams are highly trained with the appropriate equipment,” officials said. “Doing this will always keep you safe and is your pet’s best chance for survival.”
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This incident comes after multiple others over the month of December.
On Dec. 8, firefighters responded multiple times to dogs going through the ice along the Ottawa River. Officials say the pets were on walks when falling through thin ice along the water’s edge.
“A reminder to please keep your dogs on a leash near any waterways,” fire crews said on X.
Just days later on Dec. 11, the ice rescue team was called to the Manotick Marina where another dog went through the ice.
Crews said that when they arrived, the dog was able to self-rescue, but officials took the opportunity to remind the public to keep away from waterways and off ice.
