Deputy rescues woman, dog after they fall through ice on Liberty Twp. pond

A Liberty Twp. woman and dog are doing well after being rescued by a deputy on Sunday when they fell through ice, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Evan Depew was on routine patrol about 4 p.m. when a call was received at Four Bridges on St. Andrew’s Cross for a dog in the pond behind the condos. Depew is also a member of Emergency Response Services. The quick response to this call saved the lives of the woman and the dog, according to the sheriff’s office.

The dog wandered off and walked onto the pond, breaking through the ice. The woman crawled onto the ice to save her dog and broke through the ice and submerged into the freezing water. Depew pulled both to safety.

According to the CAD report, Depew said, “Upon arrival owner of dog was crawling out on the ice to attempt to rescue her dog. When she got close enough to the dog the owner broke through the ice. The owner could not rescue herself while she was holding her dog so I crawled out just far enough to where I could grab her ankle and pull her out of the pond and back to shore.”

A neighbor assisted in the rescue “by being an anchor, so I could get us all back to the bank,” Depew said.

The woman and her dog were immediately wrapped in a blanket and checked by medical professionals.

“Again, this is why it’s important for deputies to be trained in technical rescue for situations like this. Quick response with the knowledge, skills and equipment to make a difference” said Butler Co. Sheriff Richard K. Jones.

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