Indiana Firefighters Rescue Dog from Icy River: See the Photos

• Firefighters in South Bend, Indiana, rescued a dog from the ice-filled water of the St. Joseph
• After chasing geese during a walk, the dog got stuck in the cold water and was unable to get to the shore
• A dog named Oliver was returned home to his family

Indiana firefighters have a dog rescue to thank for saving a dog from an accidental polar plunge.

The incident, which happened Thursday near the 500 block of Riverside Drive in downtown South Bend, according to local affiliate WSBT 22, saw several firefighters on the scene wading through ice-filled water in the St. River. Joseph to help pull the dog out of the icy depths.

“Swiftwater Tague specialist wades into the St Joseph River and rescues a dog today!” The South Bend Fire Department released a Facebook post. “South Bend’s Swiftwater Fire Team responds to multiple calls on the river every year. Remember to always have a friend nearby while you’re on the move up the mighty St Joe River.”

South Bend firefighters rescue dog.

South Bend Fire Department

A subsequent Facebook post by the department included a video of the rescue and identified the dog as Oliver. “Animals are our family and when a call for pet services comes in, we respond with the same urgency!” the inscription read. “Great job by our members of the South Bend Swiftwater Fire Department in rescuing Oliver from the icy waters of the St Joe River.”

PEOPLE reached out to the South Bend Fire Department for comment, but they did not immediately respond.

South Bend firefighters rescue dog.

South Bend Fire Department

Dozens of users below both Facebook posts thanked and praised the officers for their rescue efforts.

According to local newspaper ABC57, Oliver’s owner, who did not give their name, was out walking the puppy when it fell in love with the geese nearby. While chasing the geese, Oliver got stuck in the cold water and was unable to get to the shore.

South Bend firefighters rescue dog.

South Bend Fire Department

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After being rescued, Oliver was returned home to his family, ABC57 reports.

A similar situation occurred in December when the Duluth Minnesota Fire Department sent several Marines to rescue a dog that had jumped into the frigid waters of Lake Superior. After navigating the lake’s “extremely cold water and ice” along with its heavy waves, divers managed to bring the dog to shore where he recovered from exhaustion and “exposure” to the cold, showing “marked signs of improvement”.

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