The owner of a husky is being sought after the dog was taken to an animal shelter in Huntley after falling through a frozen pond and being rescued by firefighters.
The Fox River and Countryside Fire Rescue District responded around 7:30 a.m. Monday to the 36W400 block of Hunters Gate Road in unincorporated St. Charles for a report of an animal rescue.
Fox River and Countryside Fire Rescue District Deputy Chief Jim Niesel said fire crews arrived and found a dog had fallen through the ice in a private pond in the Crane Road Estates subdivision.
Bystanders at the scene said they heard barking for approximately an hour before realizing there was a dog in distress in the water.
Firefighters donned mustang cold water exposure suits and walked out to the dog, Niesel said.
He was hanging onto the ice with his neck, barely moving and almost fully submerged in the acre pond.
A firefighter grabbed hold of the 100-pound husky, named Flash, and other firefighters pulled them to shore using a rope.
Niesel said Flash was severely hypothermic and could not stand or move his legs.
Animal House Shelter Adoption Manager Tabitha Browy said Flash was initially conscious during the rescue but became unresponsive shortly afterward.
He was given CPR inside a good Samaritan’s home and rushed by the fire department to Dundee Animal Hospital in Elgin once he was stable enough for transport.
“Thankfully, due to the quick actions of everyone involved, his condition improved,” Browy said.
The animal hospital reported that it took Flash at least one or two hours to regain feeling and thaw, Niesel said. He was awake during that time but could not move.
Flash, who is approximately five years old, is now walking. Niesel said he initially had a body temperature of 90 degrees, which is “dangerously low.”
The rescue occurred in extreme cold weather and humans would likely only last 10 minutes in the water, far less than what Flash survived, Niesel said.
Flash was later picked up from the animal hospital and briefly brought by the fire station around dinner time on Monday to be reunited with his rescuers.
He was then taken to Animal House Shelter in Huntley and it was learned through a microchip that he originated from that shelter approximately two years ago, Browy said.
The phone number on file is disconnected and the shelter has reached out to the original adopters but has not received a response.
The shelter is currently working to find Flash’s owners. No one in the neighborhood where he was rescued knew of him, Niesel said.
They had seen him on surveillance cameras overnight walking around the area. He did not have a collar.
Niesel said the Kane County Sheriff’s Office had a report of a large dog wandering closer to Elgin the prior night.
Animal House Shelter was continuing on Wednesday to locate the owners of Flash, who has been “very vocal” and does not like being in a cage.
“We are absolutely devastated that this happened to him but incredibly grateful for the swift response from the Good Samaritan, first responders, and veterinary staff. Flash is currently doing well—he is happy, warm, comfortable, and receiving care at our shelter,” Browy said.
“He will remain on a stray hold while we continue to exhaust all efforts to locate his owners. If no owner comes forward, Flash will eventually be placed back up for adoption,” Browy said.
Anyone who has information on his owners is asked to call the shelter at 847-961-5541.
Anyone who wishes to donate money to Dundee Animal Hospital for Flash’s medical bills can call them at 847-888-3933.