Chris MacRitchie's Courageous Dog Rescue from Icy River

Chris MacRitchie, a resident of Berlin, Vermont, displayed remarkable bravery and compassion when he rescued a struggling dog from the icy waters of the Winooski River on January 10th. The dramatic event was captured on video by his son and widely shared on social media, earning Mr. MacRitchie widespread praise for his heroic actions.

While driving through a Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru with his family, Mr. MacRitchie's son spotted a dog struggling in the river. Feeling an immediate sense of responsibility, Mr. MacRitchie, despite the frigid temperatures, jumped into the water and waded towards the distressed animal.

Dressed in a T-shirt, sweatpants, and boots, Mr. MacRitchie cautiously navigated the ice, audibly gasping as he approached the dog. With gentle care, he lifted the dog out of the water and onto the icy embankment, carrying it to safety.

Reflecting on the experience, Mr. MacRitchie acknowledged the initial uncertainty about the water's depth, but expressed relief upon finding it to be waist-high. He emphasized his motivation to help, stating that as a dog owner himself, he would hope someone would do the same for his own pets.

The rescued dog, named Arizona, belonged to Morgan Cerasoli, who had been searching for her beloved pet since the previous day. Upon receiving a call from Mr. MacRitchie informing her of the rescue, Ms. Cerasoli was overwhelmed with gratitude and tears of joy.

Reunited with Arizona, Ms. Cerasoli expressed her profound appreciation for Mr. MacRitchie's selfless act, describing it as "brave, selfless, and commendable." She emphasized the rarity of such acts of kindness in today's world, making Mr. MacRitchie's heroism even more remarkable.