PICKRELL, Neb. -- A southeast Nebraska dog is home safely with its owner after a Gage County Sheriff's deputy rescued it from an icy pond.

On Thursday at 5:46 p.m., the Gage County Sheriff's Office was called to an icy pond northwest of Pickrell. A caller reported that a dog had fallen through the ice and was trapped.

When Deputy Tom Smith arrived, he reported finding the dog, a German shepherd, mostly submerged in water and clinging to the edge of the ice approximately 15 yards from the shore line.

With temperatures near freezing, Smith reportedly donned a set of borrowed chest waders and waded into the ice with a hammer, smashing his way through the ice. Smith was able to successfully free the dog.

After the recovery of the pet, Smith was evaluated and treated for cold-related issues by Deputy Paxton Diehl of the Gage County Sheriff’s Office. Diehl is also a combat medic in the Nebraska Army National Guard.

Smith was evaluated by Pickrell EMS on site and returned to duty.

The dog was returned to its owner.