The snowy landscape of Berlin, Vermont, witnessed a heartwarming act of heroism when a local man braved the frigid Winooski River to rescue a struggling dog.

The dramatic rescue was caught on video after a family spotted the dog in a icy Vermont River as they were going through the drive-thru of a Dunkin’ Donuts.

Chris MacRitchie, a resident of Berlin, Vermont, executed a bold rescue by plunging into freezing waters to save a dog struggling in an icy river. On Friday, while driving through a Dunkin' Donuts with his family,

He jumped into the frigid waters and waded over to the dog, gently pulling it ashore where his wife, Erica, draped it with a sweatshirt. The dramatic rescue of the dog Friday afternoon in Berlin, Vermont, was caught on video by his son and has been shared widely on social media.

In the video, Chris MacRitchie can be seen sliding into the frozen water, swimming out, scooping up the dog and bringing her back to shore.

Chris MacRitchie of Vermont, heroically rescued a dog from the icy Winooski River despite the freezing conditions. His quick action, captured on video

In a story published Jan. 18, 2025, about a dog being rescued in Vermont, The Associated Press erroneously reported the dog went missing Jan. 16 and was rescued Jan. 17.

Dunkin’ dropped the “Donuts” from its brand name years ago. Now — at least in Nebraska, New Mexico and a few other states — it doesn’t have doughnuts on the shelves either.

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"This man will forever be my hero," said Morgan Cerasoli, admitting she had never expressed such profound gratitude to a stranger before.

To celebrate the grand reopening, Dunkin' is offering 100 Days of Free Coffee to the first 100 Dunkin' Rewards members in line.

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