Firefighters Rescue Dog and Owner from Ice

In a dramatic rescue on January 12, Wellesley firefighters saved a man and his dog, Tommy, after they fell through the thin ice of Lake Waban while attempting to retrieve the dog. The rescue operation was complicated by the fading daylight, with the 911 call coming just after sunset. The man was able to assist in his own rescue, walking back to shore, while firefighters braved the icy waters to save Tommy, who was treated for hypothermia afterward. This incident serves as a cautionary reminder about the dangers of thin ice, urging pet owners to keep their dogs leashed and off potentially unsafe surfaces. Similar rescues were reported in Springfield, Missouri, where a woman and her terrier were also saved after falling through ice while trying to rescue a dog. In both situations, timely responses and appropriate training by rescue teams prevented tragic outcomes.