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Drone and Airboat Rescue Dog From Detroit River Ice After Four-Hour Operation

Unsafe river ice forced crews to switch from a drone to a fire department airboat to reach the 6-month-old Australian shepherd.

Overview

  • Grosse Ile police and fire responded Monday near Bellevue and East River roads after a loose dog ran onto the iced-over Detroit River.
  • Officers located the animal about 350 yards offshore and initially attempted to guide it back using a drone.
  • Firefighters determined the ice was too dangerous for travel on foot and deployed the department’s airboat for multiple rescue attempts.
  • Rescuers recovered the dog after it entered the water, with officials noting a paw likely stuck to the ice helped them reach it.
  • Police identified the dog as Stella, a 6-month-old Australian shepherd, and said she escaped through a hole in the family’s fence; the family reported she is recovering and thanked responders.