SPOKANE VALLEY, WA – Spokane Valley Deputies and Emergency Operations Team members responded to reports of a dog that fell through the extremely thin ice on Shelley Lake on Saturday at around 6:10 p.m. EOT Diver Deputy Stephan Moore donned his ice rescue suit and slowly moved onto the fragile ice while tethered to EOT members on shore.
Once Deputy Moore made it out to the dog, which was about 40 yards offshore, he broke through the ice himself, but with the protection of his ice rescue suit, he secured the dog in his arms, and they were both pulled back to shore by rope. Spokane Valley Firefighters assisted during the incident and provided treatment to help warm up the very cold and wet canine until Spokane Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) arrived.
The video of the rescue (below) is from clips of two body worn cameras.
Spokane Valley Firefighters assisted during this rescue and provided aid to the extremely wet and cold canine until SCRAPS arrived.
The Emergency Operations Team is well-equipped and trains for ice and water rescue. People who do not have this type of equipment and training should not attempt a rescue like this. Hypothermia can occur in minutes, leaving a well-intentioned rescuer to become a victim of a possible life-threatening situation.
With warming temperatures, ice on the surrounding lakes is melting, creating unpredictable and potentially deadly conditions. Please, for your safety, stay off the ice.
