Dog Rescued After Falling Through Ice On Long Island

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) --  It was a close call for a very lucky dog after he fell through thin ice Wednesday on Long Island.

Cheers rang out at Hempstead Lake in Rockville Centre when firefighters brought a nearly frozen mixed Labrador named Teddy to shore to be reunited with his tearful, super relieved owner.

Mary Ann Nesdill's relief followed a terrifying ordeal for her beloved pup after he broke free from his leash and fell into the lake's barely frozen waters.

"Teddy was howling in the water," she told WLNY's Richard Rose. "It was at least 35 to 40 minutes, I called 911."

Now happily back together at home, Nesdill considers the firefighters heroes for going onto ice that was cracking beneath their feet to save her dog.

"It was very risky for the dog and it's always risky for us, but the guys, they did a great job and they were able to secure the dog," said Assistant Fire Chief Brian Cook.

Nesdill calls Teddy a miracle dog, but she has no plans to tempt fate with any more lakeside walks.

"He's not going anywhere," she said. "Maybe I will take him for some walks in the yard or up and down the block, but that's it, he's done."

Vets later gave Teddy a clean bill of health, despite his near death dive.

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