Terrified dog rescued from frozen pond by hero firefighters using hovercraft

A terrified dog who fell through an icy pond into freezing water in the US was rescued by firefighters using a hovercraft.

Poor pooch Rocky got into trouble in the water in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts on Friday.

His powerless owners had called for help after realising he'd fallen in, and watched on as he was eventually saved.

The local fire department rushed to the scene but had initially been unsuccessful in reaching Rocky from the water due to the bed of the pond, reports NBC Boston.

The team then decided to use a hovercraft to wade through the ice and freezing water below.

A firefighter entered the semi-frozen lake from the vehicle to help get the frightened dog to safety.

"As I approached the dog I very calmly actually talked to the dog, to gain its attention, show that I'm not a threat," he told the publication.

Pictures show the heroic efforts of the emergency workers as they carefully approach the stuck dog before carrying him to safety.

The dog’s relieved owners had been waiting for him at the pond to be rescued – and have been praised by the emergency service for calling for help rather than trying to save Rocky themselves.

Fire chief James Vuona said in a statement: "During the winter months, temperatures can fluctuate and cause the ice to weaken, so it's important that residents do not attempt to walk out on any, regardless of the depth of water.”

He added that the rescue showed how important the hovercraft is.

Many have taken to Twitter to share their relief and also their surprise.

One person tweeted in response to the story: “Today I learned Shrewsbury Fire has a hovercraft. Is that a common vehicle for fire departments?”

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