Efforts to save Goldendoodle who fell in Mill River in Northampton prove unsuccessful

Firefighters James Mulkerin and Collin Stevenson remove their drysuits after an underwater search for a dog that fell into Mill River Tuesday. Deputy Chief Andy Breen looks on. The search was not successful.

Firefighters James Mulkerin and Collin Stevenson remove their drysuits after an underwater search for a dog that fell into Mill River Tuesday. Deputy Chief Andy Breen looks on. The search was not successful. STAFF PHOTO/SAMUEL GELINAS

By SAMUEL GELINAS

Staff Writer

Published: 02-04-2025 4:04 PM

NORTHAMPTON — Emergency personnel were unable to save a 4-year-old Goldendoodle that fell into the Mill River behind Federal Street shortly after noon on Tuesday, despite rescue efforts that lasted more than an hour.

Dawn Ubelaker, the Police Department’s animal control officer who was on the scene, said the search was called off shortly after 1:35 p.m. following a “huge effort” by police and fire responders. Officials combed both sides of the river and proceeded with a dry-suit dive in the water after holes were axed in the ice. Underwater cameras were also deployed, she said.

Water levels varied in the area where the search took place, but waters were as deep as chest height, or approximately 5 feet, according to Ubelaker.

She advised dog owners to use leashes when walking their dogs, as in this case the dog was not on a leash when it fell in the river.

“Bad things happen when dogs aren’t on leashes,” she said.

Samuel Gelinas can be reached at sgelinas@gazettenet.com.

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