Dog chasing geese ends up trapped in frozen pond

Firefighters in New Jersey rescued a dog that became trapped in a freezing pond after plunging through a layer of ice.

Officials say the 9-year-old golden retriever named Duke was running after geese near a pond when he fell through ice and could not get back onto solid surface around 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Local police and the Adelphia Fire Company responded to The Villages development in Howell Township to save the dog.

Ptl. Stephanie Regina arrived and prepared to enter the water to rescue Duke, followed by firefighters who placed a ladder onto the pond.

Firefighter Brian Prochnow anchored fellow rescuer William Kruse, who walked onto the ice and fell through but successfully grabbed Duke. Both were pulled out of the water.

Duke’s owner took the dog to a nearby veterinarian. Kruse was treated at the scene.

“Both will be fine,” a Howell Police Department spokesperson wrote on Facebook. “Great job by all!”

———————————————————

The Associated Press contributed to this report.