St. Louis firefighters deploy marine rescue team to pull dog from icy pond safely

Rescue carried out amid single-digit temperatures

St. Louis fire crews rescued a dog that fell through ice on a pond as bitter cold gripped the region on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. The St. Louis Fire Department deployed its Marine Rescue Team to reach the animal on unstable ice, pull it from the water and bring it to safety.

Video from the scene captured a firefighter speaking calmly to the dog during the final moments of the rescue. Fire officials said the dog was doing well afterward and was expected to make a full recovery.

Why ice incidents escalate quickly in extreme cold

Cold-water emergencies are especially time-sensitive because immersion can rapidly reduce a person’s or animal’s ability to move and stay afloat. Even when a pond appears frozen, ice thickness can vary widely across the same body of water due to currents, wind exposure, snow cover and recent temperature swings. Those conditions can create weak points that fail without warning under a person’s weight—or the lighter weight of a running pet.

Public safety guidance for ice emergencies emphasizes that bystanders should avoid going onto the ice to attempt a rescue and should call 911. When the ice fails for one individual, it is likely to fail again for anyone following, turning a single emergency into multiple victims.

Specialized equipment and training reduce risk to rescuers

Fire departments typically rely on specialized cold-water rescue gear—such as flotation devices, insulated or dry suits, and tethered rescue techniques—to limit exposure and maintain control on unstable surfaces. Regional agencies in the St. Louis area conduct recurring ice-rescue training each winter as conditions allow, reflecting the reality that freezing events can be sporadic but still dangerous.

Within the city, the St. Louis Fire Department maintains marine operations capabilities used for water-related incidents. The department operates dedicated vessels on the Mississippi River and also deploys smaller craft for rapid response when conditions require.

Safety reminders for pet owners during freezes

• Keep pets leashed near ponds, retention basins and lakes during freezing weather.
• If a pet goes onto ice, do not follow; call 911 immediately.
• From shore, use reach-or-throw options (a long branch, rope, ladder or similar object) rather than stepping onto ice.
• After any cold-water exposure, seek veterinary care even if an animal appears alert, as hypothermia can worsen after the initial event.

Monday’s rescue ended with the dog safely removed from the icy water and recovering, while underscoring how quickly winter conditions can turn ordinary outdoor spaces into hazardous terrain.