The snowy landscape of Berlin, Vermont, witnessed a heartwarming act of heroism when a local man braved the frigid Winooski River to rescue a struggling dog.

Chris MacRitchie, a resident of Berlin, Vermont, executed a bold rescue by plunging into freezing waters to save a dog struggling in an icy river. On Friday, while driving through a Dunkin' Donuts with his family,

He jumped into the frigid waters and waded over to the dog, gently pulling it ashore where his wife, Erica, draped it with a sweatshirt. The dramatic rescue of the dog Friday afternoon in Berlin, Vermont, was caught on video by his son and has been shared widely on social media.

Chris MacRitchie of Vermont, heroically rescued a dog from the icy Winooski River despite the freezing conditions. His quick action, captured on video

In a story published Jan. 18, 2025, about a dog being rescued in Vermont, The Associated Press erroneously reported the dog went missing Jan. 16 and was rescued Jan. 17.

A Vermont man trekked into an icy river to save a drowning dog last Friday. Chris MacRitchie first noticed the dog in peril while going through a Dunkin’ drive-thru after his son pointed out the struggling animal.