Dog on an ice float rescued after drifting down North Saskatchewan River
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) rescued a dog drifting down the North Saskatchewan River on an ice float early Wednesday morning.
In a Facebook post, EFRS said members were alerted shortly before 7 a.m. of the dog moving down the river on the ice float, and the pup was quickly approaching the Tawatinâ Bridge.
Responding firefighters gained visual on the dog as it drifted around the river bend and launched rapid deployment crafts (RDCs) to intercept. The crews managed to retrieve the dog after some coaxing and reached land at the Capilano Bridge at 8:09 a.m. The dog was then transferred safely to the City of Edmonton’s Animal Care and Control Team.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services/Facebook
“The North Saskatchewan River is dangerous year-round. We urge Edmontonians to keep pets leashed near embankments and on low-lying trails near river access points. If a pet becomes unreachable down an embankment or falls through ice, call 911. Do not attempt to rescue them yourself,” the Facebook post added.
Earlier today, someone also posted to the Edmonton Reddit page of what appears to be the same dog, sparking concerns for its safety.
The City website also states that it is never safe to walk on the ice of the North Saskatchewan River, no matter the season. The water flows beneath the surface, which impacts ice thickness and can be deceiving.