(Drummond North Elmsley Township, ON) – On Thursday November 29, 2018 two local officers from of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) rescued a therapy dog that had fallen through ice on the Tay River while on a walk.
The dog owner made a 911 call to OPP at 11:04am stating that she was approximately 3 kms along the Rideau Trail from River Road. She said the dog had its front legs on the ice. Personnel of OPP Provincial Communication Center (PCC) captured the GPS drop of the cell phone.
When Provincial Constable McNAMES of Lanark County OPP, a member of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Provincial Constable LEFAIVRE of the Snow Vehicle, All Terrain Vehicle, Vessel Enforcement / Education Unit (SAVE) located the owner, the dog (named Teddy) was approximately 25 feet from the shore line.
Cst McNAMES acted as safety officer and Cst LEFAIVRE with a line attached to him crawled out on the ice and made his way to Teddy. After Cst LEFAIVRE lifted Teddy to safety. The ice broke and Cst LEFAIVRE was completely submerged.
Because of their safety plan of action Cst McNAMES was able to haul him to the surface and Cst LEFAIVRE was able to get back onto the ice and eventually to the shore line.
Neither Teddy nor Cst LEFAIVRE required medical attention.