Intro paragraph
A 6-month-old Australian shepherd named Stella was found drifting on a sheet of ice on the Detroit River in Michigan. The Grosse Ile Police Department and local fire crews mounted a multi-hour rescue that ultimately reunited the dog with her family.
**At a Glance
- Stella rescued after 4 hours on ice.
- Incident occurred on January 19, 2026.
- Dog located 350 yards offshore.
- Rescue used drone, airboat, and ground teams.
- Family thanked responders.
The Incident
On January 19, 2026, a local resident, Lynsey Ramage, reported a dog running onto the iced-over Detroit River. She called the police after her sister spotted the animal entering the water. When officers arrived, they found Stella drifting about 350 yards from shore.
Ramage told ABC affiliate WXYZ, “I saw her out there, and there’s not much you can do because there’s not really a safe way to get out there.” The police assessed the ice as unsafe for foot personnel and decided to use aerial and water-borne resources.
The Rescue Effort
The Grosse Ile Police Department first deployed an aerial drone to guide Stella back to land. Sgt. Eric Vazquez explained to WXYZ, “The dog was moving on this sheet of ice, and it was stopped by at least a small channel. We thought that maybe the drone could lure it back, and it kept going further east to the Canadian side.”
After the drone attempt failed, the police enlisted the Grosse Ile Fire Department. The fire department’s airboat was used to approach the ice, as the post noted: “After determining the ice conditions were unsafe for personnel on foot, multiple rescue attempts were made using the Fire Department’s airboat.”
Vazquez said the dog kept running away, but the airboat eventually returned to shore, and the stranded pet was rescued after about 4 hours on the ice. He added, “The dog had fallen in through some ice, got up, and what probably happened was that one of the paws was stuck to the ice, that’s probably the only reason we were able to save the dog.”
The police department also noted that Stella had initially escaped through a hole in her family’s fence.
The Dog’s Journey
Throughout the rescue, Stella demonstrated remarkable resilience. Despite the cold and the shifting ice, she stayed afloat and managed to climb onto the airboat’s edge. The airboat crew worked in a coordinated effort, keeping the dog’s body warm and preventing further exposure to the elements.
When the airboat reached shore, the dog was safely transferred to a rescue vehicle. The crew monitored her for signs of hypothermia, and once she was back on land, she was examined by a veterinarian on scene. The animal was then taken to a nearby shelter for observation.
Family’s Gratitude and Community Support
After the rescue, the police posted a message thanking animal control and residents who assisted. The post read, “Stella was safely reunited with her family, who expressed their gratitude to all responders involved.”
The family expressed their appreciation in a statement shared with the department. “We are so grateful for the quick response and the dedication of the police and fire crews,” the family said.
Related Incidents
Last week, a golden retriever named Mia survived a dangerous fall through an icy pond in Spring Arbor, Mich. Mia struggled to keep her head above water for about 30 minutes while waiting for help. Rescuers found her about 30 yards offshore.
The Spring Arbor Township Police issued a winter warning, advising residents to “exercise extreme caution around frozen bodies of water, as ice thickness can vary and pose serious risks to both people and pets.”
Key Takeaways
- Even a small hole in a fence can lead to a life-threatening situation.
- Multi-agency coordination can turn a near-impossible rescue into a success.
- Community vigilance and quick reporting are vital in cold-weather emergencies.
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