SPARTA, New Jersey (WABC) — An officer in New Jersey is being hailed a hero after rescuing a dog that found itself in a “ruff” situation after falling into frigid water in a frozen lake.
Bodycam video captures the animal rescue at Lake Mohawk near Rainbow Trail in Sparta around noon on Wednesday.
Police responded after a concerned neighbor spotted the two dogs walking on the frozen lake and then saw one of them fall into the water. Upon arrival, Sparta Patrolman Michael Poon used ice rescue gear to crawl out onto the ice and reach the dog.
Within minutes and without hesitation, Poon entered the icy water, pushed the dog back onto the ice and escorted the animal safely back to land. Both dogs were reunited with its owner following the rescue.
The rescued dog is a 10-year-old Labrador named Sunkiss, and her partner in crime, 4-year-old Bruno.
Their owner, Chance Dobbs, was home at the time of the rescue. He says he didn’t even realize that they were missing.
“There is an electric fence around the property, but the dogs found a weak spot and escaped,” Dobbs said.
Dobbs says this isn’t the first time they’ve done something like this, with Sunkiss having a bit of a reputation.
“Not entirely unusual but she took it a little far this time. This is not the first, second or third time in the last smonth that she’s taken off,” he said. “She taught him to take off. He never used to. But, she’s a big time instigator.”
With the dogs back at home now, Dobbs is grateful for Sparta police’s help in getting his furry friends back to him safely.
“I can’t thank them enough for their training and being unsung and many times being unappreciated heroes looking over our community,” Dobbs said.
As for Sunkiss, Dobbs hopes that she’s learned her lesson, but acknowledges that “she’s got a streak in her.”
Authorities in the meantime are reminding residents to use extra caution when near frozen bodies of water in order to keep everyone safe, people and pets alike.
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