When a nine year old black Labrador retriever named Hardy fell through the ice of the River Wansbeck near his Northumberland England home, Inspector Jaqui Miller from the Royal Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) bravely pulled herself on hands and knees across the ice using a long-handled pick to reach Hardy’s location. Miller then grabbed Hardy by the scruff and pulled him through the water and up to the safety of land where rescuers were waiting with lots of warm towels and much needed reassurance. According to a press release from the RSPCA, Hardy had gotten away from the person walking him and bounded into the river.
His dog walker told us he’s so used to paddling in the river and the sea that he just bounded off hoping for a little swim….I made sure I was securely fastened to the rope and started across the ice. As I got closer to Hardy I could hear him whimpering and I kept calling back to him to try and reassure the poor dog. I managed to grab him by his scruff and help Hardy push himself up onto the ice. He must have been freezing because he didn’t hang around but scampered off towards his dog walker.