Dog Rescued from Icy Pond in St. Louis During Frigid Temperatures

The St. Louis Fire Department shared dramatic video of the dramatic rescue operation.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 3:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dog was pulled from an icy pond in St. Louis, Missouri, on January 19th amid frigid single-digit temperatures. The St. Louis Fire Department responded to the call and successfully rescued the dog, who was trapped in the freezing water and unable to swim to safety. The department shared video of the dramatic rescue operation on its Facebook page on January 26th.

Why it matters

Extreme winter weather can pose serious threats to pets, and this rescue highlights the importance of first responders being prepared to handle these types of emergencies to keep animals safe. The incident also comes amid a spate of recent dramatic pet rescues during the harsh winter conditions this month.

The details

According to the St. Louis Fire Department's Facebook post, the dog had wandered onto the ice of the pond, which then gave way, leaving the animal trapped in the frigid water. The department's Marine Rescue Task Force responded quickly, launching a boat and navigating the frozen conditions to reach the dog just in time. They were able to carefully pull the dog from the icy water and bring it to safety.

  • The incident occurred on January 19, 2026.
  • The St. Louis Fire Department shared the video of the rescue on their Facebook page on January 26, 2026.

The players

St. Louis Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the emergency call and successfully rescued the dog from the icy pond.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Crews launched, navigated the frozen conditions, and reached the dog just in time, carefully pulling it from the icy water and bringing it to safety.”

— St. Louis Fire Department (Facebook)

The takeaway

This dramatic rescue highlights the importance of first responders being prepared to handle emergencies involving pets in extreme winter weather conditions, as well as the need for pet owners to be vigilant about keeping their animals safe during dangerously cold temperatures.