Orland Firefighter Braves Freezing Waters to Save Dog

Orland Firefighter Tom Panzica broke through inch-thick ice in a frozen pond to help a stranded dog.

“Chances are the animal walked onto the iced pond and then it broke and got stuck,” Acting Chief Raymond Kay said in a release. “Neighbors called the fire district to ask us to help rescue the dog. It was a very serious situation for the animal. We don’t want members of the public wading out into the ponds or walking on ice.”

Panzica donned an ice rescue suit to save the animal surrounded by water about a foot deep, according to the release.

Kay said a foot of water may not seem dangerous but it can be, and shouldn’t be underestimated. Fire fighters described the rescued dog as small family lapdog.