Trending Topics

Watch: Drone-guided rescue saves dog from frigid Mass. pond

Maynard firefighters and police officers used drone footage to guide a swift water rescue, pulling Rufus from 28-degree waters in less than 10 minutes

By Mike Grimala
masslive.com

MAYNARD, Mass. — A dog was saved from the frigid waters of Mill Pond in Maynard, as emergency workers were able to rescue him after he fell through a hole in the ice.

Crews from the Maynard Police and Fire Departments arrived at Mill Pond Tuesday night after a resident reported their dog, Rufus, had fallen into the icy water, according to a statement from Maynard police.

| WATCH: How emerging technologies are shaping the future of the fire service

Using drone video footage to guide the operation, firefighters Keagan Sheridan and Ed Wasiuk went into the water to secure Rufus and return him to his owner. The entire operation took less than 10 minutes, according to police.

The temperature in Maynard was 28 degrees at the time, according to the National Weather Service.

Rufus suffered no injuries.

Maynard Fire Chief Angela Lawless said if Rufus had been in the water much longer, he might not have been so fortunate.

“A pet falling through the water, in these freezing conditions, is any pet owner’s worst nightmare,” Lawless said in a statement. “I am proud of the composure and teamwork demonstrated in the response between Group 4 and Maynard Police, which allowed for a quick rescue operation.”

Trending
Firefighters extinguished the vehicle fire while technical rescue crews extricated two construction workers trapped inside a storage container
Signal Mountain chief Larry Sloan resigned after a town review found his social media conduct had “eroded public trust in first responders”
A Lexipol survey of 915 public safety professionals finds staffing, training and major disruptions remain key preparedness challenges
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed has been held at Guantanamo Bay for two decades, with legal battles over torture and evidence continuing as a military trial is now set for 2028

©2026 Advance Local Media LLC.
Visit masslive.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Company News
The program, in collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council, provided $10,000 grants to 150 fire departments