Family pet rescued from frigid pond in Manlius

NEW YORK -- A Chittenango family is grateful and appreciative of the kindness and help from police and strangers in getting their best friend back home after 20 hours on the run.

Mya, their 9-year-old German Shepherd, ran away from their dog sitter's home in Fayetteville while the family was in Buffalo to celebrate Thanksgiving. The Russell family cut their trip short to hurry back and search for Mya.

Word spread in the Manlius and Chittenango communities and neighbors began to share photos of Mya with her bright pink collar through social media.

"Some of our neighbors were sharing photos and Critter Sitters, which is a pet sitting service in Chittenango, that we don't even know personally, but we have to thank for posting her pictures and spreading the word," said Rick Russell, Mya's owner.

Mya's photo and story about her missing was shared more than 500 times on Critter Sitters Facebook page. The family was getting ready to post fliers when they reached out to Manlius Police, which had earlier responded to an animal complaint of a dog running loose in the road.
        

 

Manlius Police Officer Alex Hebert responded back to the area where he had last seen a dog fitting Mya's description and tracked the dog’s prints in the snow for approximately one mile with Russell.

Mya was spotted in the middle of “Snook’s Pond”, just off Wakefield Drive in the town. The pond was mostly covered in ice, with an area of water in the middle of the pond. Mya appeared to be exhausted, with her front paws on the ice and her head just above the water. Seeing that the dog was in obvious distress Officer Hebert used a nearby canoe boat and advised the dog’s owner to get in the canoe.

Officer Adam Bezek arrived on scene and brought a rope to the pond, which was tied to the canoe.

The canoe was then pushed out on the ice and Russell moved the canoe along the ice to the dog and retrieved Mya from the icy water. Officer’s Hebert and Bezek then pulled the canoe approximately 30 feet back to shore.

Both officers had fallen through the ice and into approximately two feet of water, but were uninjured. They then helped carry the dog to a nearby driveway where she was placed in the back of a police SUV and brought to the owner’s vehicle just in time.

"The vet said she had about five minutes, so yes, we're very happy," said Russell.

Russell expressed appreciation for the actions of the officers and the community, "I'm not sure I can even express it," Russell tearfully said, "I am extremely grateful." 

Mya was taken to the Emergency Vet Center for treatment. She lost about five pounds, but is doing well. She is recovering at home with lots of attention and love from her family.

(WSYR - Dec 2, 2014)