Police Officer Dives Into River To Rescue Dog Trapped Under Tree

A 12-year-old Shepard mix named "Woody" is safe and sound after he was trapped under a tree along the banks of the Schuylkill River.

Diane Murphy struggled to hold back the tears as she recalled Monday's events.

Murphy tells FOX 29's Lauren Cohn her dog was tied up in her backyard in Royersford when he somehow managed to get loose.

Even with a bad hip and arthritis, Woody managed to make his way down a big hill, across train tracks, a half mile from home.

He was spotted along the banks of the river by a passerby when suddenly the dog plunged 15-feet into the frigid water, getting himself trapped under a tree.

The passerby called 9-1-1 and Officer Mark Smythe came to the rescue.

"It was so dark and murky down there, hard to see him," Officer Smythe said. "I climbed down to where the tree came out and saw his head above water."

Knowing the dog had little time to spare, Smythe jumped in, not knowing just how deep and cold the water was.

In seconds, he got Woody out and rushed him to a local veterinary hospital for treatment.

When Murphy called police to report her missing dog, she learned just what had happened to her companion.

Murphy says Woody is okay, a bit shaky, but doing just fine. Her dog didn't have tags on at the time he went missing. Murphy says she will get him tags so if he ever runs away again, she'll be able to find him much faster.