Firefighters rescue dog from icy pond in North Andover

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (WHDH) -- Firefighters rescued a dog that fell through an icy pond in North Andover.

It was a frantic call for help that had firefighters Kris Jenkins and Jeff Judge jumping into action to save Lola, the lab-Rottweiler mix. The 9-year-old dog fell through thin ice on a pond off Berry Street in North Andover.

“He went in the water. I went in the water about 30 seconds later. He had already snared the dog and once he started bringing him in I was in the water right behind him when I got tied in,” said Kris Jenkins, North Andover firefighter.

“When I came around the corner of the house, I saw the black dog in the middle of the pond,” said Carrie Bianchi, the dog’s owner.

Jenkins wore a cold water survival suit and waded through the water to get to Lola. It was a race against the clock; only the dog’s head was out of the water.

“Time was definitely of the essence. The dog didn’t have much fight. She was not making too much noise. She wasn’t howling too loud. It was a very soft whimper. She almost went under,” said Jenkins.

Bianchi said she was grateful for their swift actions.

“I was hoping they would come quick. I didn’t know if they would do that for a dog. That’s why I think it’s so great that they were totally happy to come and do it for the dog,” said Bianchi.

Lola was cold, but otherwise okay.