LITTLE FALLS, N.Y. – A morning walk turned dangerous Saturday when a woman and her dog fell through the ice near the barge canal in the city’s Industrial Park, prompting a dramatic rescue by first responders.
New York State Police said they were called around 8:50 a.m. on January 10 to assist the Little Falls Police and Fire Departments after a passerby reported seeing the woman and her dog struggling in the icy water. Investigators said the woman had been walking her Labrador–Bernese Mountain Dog mix when the dog ventured too close to the edge and broke through the ice. The woman fell in while trying to pull the animal to safety.
Members of the Little Falls Fire Department and Police Department were first to reach the scene and quickly pulled the woman from the water. As rescuers worked, the dog began to submerge. Trooper Michael Szarek threw a rescue rope that the dog tried to grab several times, but when the animal couldn’t hold on, Trooper Szarek and Officer Austin entered the canal, secured the dog, and brought it safely to shore.
Both the woman and her dog were treated at the scene and escaped serious injury. State Police later released body camera footage of the rescue, showing the coordinated effort between local and state responders that saved both lives.
A woman and her dog were rescued unharmed after falling through the ice near the Little Falls barge canal, thanks to quick action by police and firefighters.