Scout the Golden Doodle Rescued from Frozen Pond by Rye FD

Monday was a long day for Scout the mini golden doodle and the Layng family.

Around 8:45am, after school drop off, Caitlin Layng took Scout for a walk around the Apawamis Club golf course with a friend and the friend’s golden doodle. It was a perfect, quiet walk in beautiful Rye on a cold winter day.

Until the icy waters off the 12th tee. Scout went after a flock of geese in the center of the pond, and broke through the thin ice cover.

“I realized right away,” said Layng. “I was like, oh my God, she’s in the water. And I screamed to my friend to call 911… it was horrifying. I was basically watching her drown. She hates to swim and she swam her heart out for five minutes with a with a coat on, and the fire trucks came and they were so amazing.”

Rye FD was called at approximately 9:30am. Firefighters quickly arrived on scene, utilizing Locust Avenue for easier access to the pond. Rye FD Firefighter Ricky Colasacco, equipped with a Mustang suit designed for cold/ice-water rescue, entered the water to reach Scout the dog. After breaking up the surrounding ice, Colasacco was able to safely retrieve Scout and bring her back to shore. Scout was reunited with its owner, and all fire department units returned to service by 9:43am.

“[Firefighter Colasacco] was in that suit so fast,” said Layng. “I really think she [Scout] probably had less than a minute left of fight in her. I actually can’t believe she made it as long as she did, and I was hysterical, screaming, Scout, don’t stop.”

“Their response was nothing short of totally heroic … it was a perfect example of preparation meeting a situation, and they just executed flawlessly, and their speed and their skill is the only reason that she [Scout] didn’t slip below that water.”

Layng immediately took Scout to Rye Harrison Veterinary Hospital on North Avenue where the lucky dog was treated for shock and hypothermia. Scout was finally discharged at 4:00pm Monday afternoon with orders from the vet to stay inside, stay warm and rest for a few days.

Asked if Scout the mini golden doodle could talk, what she thought Scout might tell all her dog friends about Monday’s experience, Layng said with confidence: “stay on the grass”.