Jogger Smashes Ice To Rescue Dog, Then Continues His Run

January 13, 2021

A runner jumped into a frozen lake in Pontefract, England, to save a drowning dog -- before carrying on with his run.

Bystander Paula Town posted footage of the rescue online, saying: "What a hero, this complete stranger rescued this family's dog when it got into trouble in Pontefract Park."

"When we got to the lake, I could see a dog in the water, it was trying to get onto the ice but kept falling back in," Town told the local news outlet. "I felt panic-stricken and scoured the side of the lake for a life buoy but couldn't find one."

Darcy Pell, 31, was out for a run with a friend when he spotted the commotion. As an experienced cold water swimmer, Pell didn't hesistate to enter the freezing water and help the stranded dog swim back to shore.

Pell has been hailed as a hero by many who have watched the video.

"Not a hero just saw a dog in need," Pell wrote on Facebook. "Luckily [I] swim in cold/icey water as a hobby and know the risks it can cause. Carried on my run after so no big deal. Was given a jacket by my run buddy. Obviously wouldn't recommend people doing the same. Just glad the dog was happy to carry on its walk after."