Firefighters Race Across Frozen Pond to Rescue Dog Who Fell Through Ice

A New Year’s Day walk nearly turned tragic in Rhode Island when a golden retriever fell through thin ice on a frozen pond — and first responders risked their own safety to bring him home.

Just before 9 a.m. on January 1, firefighters were dispatched to Little Masachaug Pond in Westerly after reports came in of a dog trapped in icy water. According to officials, the dog, Phoenix, had wandered onto the pond during a morning walk with his owner and broke through a fragile layer of ice near the center.

With the owner unable to reach him safely from shore, firefighters from the Misquamicut Fire Department, Watch Hill Fire Department, Westerly Police Department, and Westerly Ambulance Corps responded within minutes.

A High-Risk Rescue on Unstable Ice

Photographs released by the Misquamicut Fire Department show firefighters crawling across the frozen pond in specialized ice rescue suits, tethered by safety ropes as large cracks and chunks of ice broke around them.

Crews staged additional equipment along the shoreline, including an inflatable rescue boat, while responders carefully made their way toward Phoenix, who was struggling to stay afloat in the freezing water.

Fire officials said members from both departments entered the pond and executed a swift rescue, pulling Phoenix from the water and returning safely to shore.

Both the dog and the firefighters were reported to be doing well at the scene. Firefighters were evaluated by emergency medical personnel for potential hypothermia, though none required further treatment.

First Call of the Year, A Life Saved

The rescue marked the Misquamicut Fire Department’s first emergency call of 2026, with officials later praising the coordination and teamwork displayed by all agencies involved.

Phoenix, exhausted but alive, was reunited with his owner — a moment fire officials described as a reminder of why training for rare, dangerous rescues matters.

The incident was later reported by Fox News, using photographs provided by the fire department to show the scale and risk of the operation.

A Reminder for Dog Owners Everywhere

Fire officials used the rescue as a public safety reminder: no frozen pond, lake, or waterway should ever be considered safe — for people or pets.

Ice thickness can vary dramatically due to temperature changes, water movement, and debris, even when surfaces appear solid from a distance. Dogs, driven by curiosity or instinct, are especially vulnerable in winter conditions.

Safety experts consistently advise:

• Keeping dogs leashed near frozen water
• Avoiding shortcuts across ice entirely
• Calling emergency services immediately if a person or pet falls through ice
• Never attempting a rescue without proper equipment

Why This Matters in Las Vegas

While frozen ponds aren’t a common concern in Southern Nevada, this rescue highlights a universal truth for dog owners everywhere: emergencies don’t wait for ideal conditions, and trained first responders put themselves at risk to protect both people and animals.

From heat-related rescues in the desert to cold-water emergencies elsewhere, the bond between humans, dogs, and those who protect them crosses geography and seasons.

Phoenix’s rescue is a powerful reminder that preparation, quick response, and teamwork can turn a moment of fear into a story of survival — and that sometimes, a dog’s life depends on the courage of strangers willing to crawl across thin ice.