German Shepherd Saved By Marines

January 17, 2001 Chicago, Illinois, USA

In a rescue maneuver that took over 90 minutes, the Chicago Police Marine Unit managed to lift a freezing dog from the icy waters of the Chicago River near Navy Pier.

"That poor dog was scared out of his mind," said Marine Unit Sgt. Jim Gantz. "By the time the rescue team reached him, he was exhausted."

At around 6:15am the German shepherd was spotted by a Marine Unit officer.  The dog was stranded on the ice about 20 yards out on the water, falling in several times over the course of the effort.  A team of seven rescuers wearing wet suits and flotation devices used rope pulleys to position an inflatable raft with which they brought the shivering dog to land.

The dog was taken to the City Department of Animal Care and Control for a seven-day observation period, during which the owner will hopefully come forward to claim him.

Some members of the team had also been involved in rescuing a dog from Lake Michigan two weeks ago.

Related articles:
Samaritan Dives into Icy Lake,
Saves Doberman
(February 20, 2001)
Petrified Pup Pulled from Pipe
(June 22, 2001)
Now There's a Switch:
Dog Pulls Owner from Frozen River
(April 24, 2001)

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