RICHMOND — Emergency officials have rescued a deer that was trapped in ice after falling through while attempting to cross the Pawcatuck River in Carolina this morning.

Members of the Hope Valley-Wyoming and Richmond-Carolina fire departments, assisted by Richmond police, were dispatched shortly after 10 a.m. when a caller reported the situation. The caller told police dispatchers she was alerted when her dogs were continually barking near the river.

The incident occurred just east of Route 112 near the south end of Downs Court, a residential street located off Shannock Hill Road.

Firefighters were able to stage a rescue, first approaching with a Hope Valley-Wyoming rescue boat and then chopping through ice to create an escape path. Officials said the deer was eventually freed and able to swim safely back to shore.

The response took approximately an hour, officials said. The deer did not suffer any apparent injuries.

—Jason Vallee