A firefighter rescued a dog from open waters in a partly iced-over pond in Parker.

The incident unfolded around 4:45 p.m. Monday at Salisbury Equestrian Park near South Parker Road in the south central Parker. 

Within minutes, fire crews from South Metro Fire arrived on the scene and rescued the dog from the cold water. 

Officials are encouraging pet owners to be aware of ice conditions and regardless of the conditions to always keep dogs on leash to avoid potential dangerous situations, said Kim Spuhler, a public information officer for the agency.

“We do see an influx of dogs who want to go chase geese on the water and then get near, and then the ice cracks and breaks,” said Spuhler. “If there’s anything that I can implore, and I have three 100 pound dogs, so I get it, but you think you’re doing your dog a favor by letting them run, be happy and be free, but that moment of freedom can cost them their life. So if we can keep them leashed, especially around water then we are caring for them.”

SMFR has responded to 12 separate ice rescue incidents since Nov. 1, 2020, and encourage anyone who witnesses a person or pet who breaks through to call 9-1-1 immediately, and do not attempt to retrieve them without professional help.