Connecticut Volunteer Firefighters Rescue Exhausted Dog From Lake McDonough After Chasing Anchored Buoy

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Volunteer firefighters in Connecticut successfully rescued an exhausted dog after she swam far out into a lake chasing a floating buoy. Staff writer Kaitlin Keane reported on the dramatic water rescue and safe recovery on November 10, 2026.

The emergency unfolded on Sunday afternoon at Lake McDonough in Barkhamsted, Litchfield County, Connecticut 06063, United States.

According to the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department, a black dog named Dublin broke free from her leash and immediately swam out toward an anchored buoy in the water.

Firefighters noted that Dublin mistook the floating marker for a large fetch toy and remained determined to retrieve it back to shore.

Because the heavy buoy was securely anchored to the lakebed, the persistent dog became stranded in deep water far from the shoreline.

The Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department dispatched Squad 9, Tac 5, and two marine rescue boats to locate and recover the stranded canine.

By the time the crew aboard Boat 1 reached Dublin, she had been continuously treading water in the cold lake for more than an hour.

Rescue personnel pulled the fatigued dog safely aboard the boat and transported her back to the shoreline, where Lt. Kevin Archer and fellow responders wrapped her in warm blankets.

Department officials shared a Monday morning update confirming that Dublin was slightly tired from her ordeal but resting comfortably and doing very well with her owner.

My thoughts:

• Strong retrieval instincts in sporting dogs can lead them into dangerous open-water situations when objects resemble toys.
• Extended periods of treading water in cold autumn lakes pose serious risks of hypothermia and physical exhaustion for domestic pets.
• Specialized marine rescue boats operated by volunteer fire departments are essential for rapid, safe open-water animal recoveries.
• Immediate post-rescue warming protocols using heavy blankets prevent cold-water shock once stranded dogs reach solid ground.
• Securing dogs with sturdy leashes and reliable harnesses near large bodies of water helps prevent sudden accidental water entries.
• Coordinated multi-unit responses by local volunteer emergency services demonstrate strong community dedication to protecting companion animals.

Source: Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department (Lt. Kevin Archer), Shawn Wainman, and Kaitlin Keane