UPDATE: Ocean Pines Vol. Fire Dept. Wins PETA Award for Rescuing Dog

UPDATE: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, better known as “PETA”, have awarded the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department a Compassionate Fire Department Award following their rescue of a dog stranded on ice on Feb. 3. 

“This dog was in a terrifying and deadly predicament on an icy river, but is now safe and warm at home with their family, thanks to the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department,” says PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA encourages everyone to follow these rescuers’ example by acting swiftly whenever they see an animal in danger.”

PETA says they are sending a framed certificate to the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department, along with vegan chocolates.

OCEAN PINES, Md. – The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department (OPVFD) helped rescue a dog trapped on a frozen river on Tuesday morning.

At 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 3, crews responded to the area of White Sail Circle for a reported animal trapped on the ice. Upon arrival, responders located a dog approximately 300 yards out on the Saint Martin River. Two kayakers provided their vessels, and firefighters carefully deployed onto the icy water to successfully rescued the trapped dog. The canine was returned safely to shore and transported to VCA Animal Hospital for further evaluation and care.

The dog was microchipped, allowing responders to alert the owner—who was located in Bishopville on the opposite side of the river. The owner responded to the animal hospital at the time care was transferred to veterinary staff.

OPVFD would like to remind residents that ice-covered waterways remain extremely dangerous, especially as temperatures begin to warm. If a person or animal falls through the ice, call 911 immediately and do not go onto the ice.

This article was originally published on Feb. 4 at 11:56 a.m.