In a nail-biting incident in Northern Michigan, a dog named Ruby has been hailed as a hero for helping rescue her owner who tumbled into the icy waters of Arbutus Lake. The Michigan State Police released bodycam footage showing the dramatic rescue that took place on Thursday. The incident occurred near Traverse City in East Bay Township at around 11:45 a.m., according to ClickOnDetroit.
Police reports state that bystanders witnessed the 65-year-old Traverse City man break through the ice and immediately dialed 911 for assistance. Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Officer, Kammeron Bennetts, was first on the scene. Bennetts attempted to reach the man but the precarious ice conditions thwarted his approach, as detailed by Hindustan Times.
Ruby, the man's steadfast dog, supported the rescue effort after Bennetts tied a rescue disc to her collar. The man then called Ruby back to him, enabling him to secure the disc. "The quick actions of MCO Bennetts along with the help from Ruby, they were able to perform a successful ice rescue," stated the officials, as per The Detroit News.
A Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department firefighter responded to the scene and assisted Bennetts. Together, they managed to pull the man across the treacherous ice to safety. The victim, who had been submerged in the freezing water for nearly 16 minutes, received treatment at a local hospital and was subsequently released. Social media has since been abuzz with praise for both Bennetts and Ruby, with comments such as "You are heroes" and "Outstanding rescue Officer Bennetts & Ruby!" emerging on platforms like X, as reported by Hindustan Times.
