Hingham Fire Department honored for rescuing dog

By Patriot Ledger staff
Posted Feb 14, 2009 @ 07:59 AM
Last update Feb 15, 2009 @ 06:31 PM

HINGHAM – The PETA animal rights group will present the Hingham Fire Department with a Compassionate Fire Department Award for rescuing a dog that ran onto fell through the ice on Hingham Harbor last last week. on Feb. 6.

Olly, a 2-year-old black Labrador retriever was on a leash, but when the leash slipped out of his owner’s grip, Olly ran onto the ice, chasing a flock of geese.

Three Hingham firefighters wearing water-rescue suits went onto the ice to reach the dog. Firefighter-Paramedic James Sheard brought Olly back to shore.

Sheard was taken to a hospital for exhaustion. He also swallowed saltwater during the rescue. He was released from the hospital later in the afternoon. that day.

Olly’s owner was “very excited,” said fire department Capt. Joseph Mortland, who was the shift commander of the group that saved Olly. “She thought she’d seen the last of her dog.”

Olly’s rescue made news internationally, and the Hingham Fire Department received letters of thanks from as far away as Europe and South America, Mortland said.

“We rescue animals all the time; this is just the first time we’ve gotten recognition for it,” he said.

This year, The department has rescued at least one other dog and some ducklings so far this year, he said.

When a pet falls through ice, owners should immediately call 911; under no circumstances should they go after the pet themselves, Mortland said.

“If the dog sinks through the ice, a person definitely would, too,” he said.

Fire Chief Mark Duff will receive a framed certificate and a thank-you card signed by PETA staffers. The three firefighters who performed the rescue will receive PETA mugs and vegan hot chocolate mix.