Trenton police rescue an anxious Labrador, trapped in icy water it could not escape

Yahoo

11-02-2025

Trapped in freezing water, the dog was struggling.
But two Trenton police officers, who arrived just in time, went in after it.
Their selfless bravery not only saved the black Labrador — and possibly its owner who might have risked his own life to go after it — but is exactly what the public should expect from their officers, Police Chief Michael Hawkins told the Free Press.
"We will go to no ends to protect people, animals and anyone in our community," Hawkins said, noting that the Monday evening rescue was "a job they do every day" and, while no thanks are really necessary, it always is appreciated.
The department didn't hesitate to tout the rescue and post body camera video, edited only for brevity, to social media, mostly because, the chief said, "people love animals" and especially dogs.
Neither the name of the owner or dog was released.
But the rescue was a reminder to be vigilant, especially an approaching snowstorm.
More: Deep snow, ice to blanket southeast Michigan starting Wednesday
According to police, the dog had broken through the ice in a canal in Elizabeth Park at about 5:20 p.m. After receiving a 911 call, Cpl. Seth Bond and officer Michael Bedsun stripped off their gear and waded into the waist-deep water shirtless.
In the one-minute video, you can hear one of the officers say: "I'm going to take care of everybody." And then they both go into the frigid water, while whistling to the dog. They grab it, pulled it out and save it from hypothermia.
The dog, police said, appeared to be about 70-80 pounds.
"If you see a person or animal in distress, call 911," the police said in it's rescue announcement on Tuesday. It also urged residents to "avoid putting yourself at risk by attempting a rescue."
In this case, the dog was saved with no injuries and reunited with a grateful owner.
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trenton police rescue dog from icy water, warn of winter's dangers