Former Marine thanks rescuers after dog saved from icy river

BEAVER FALLS, PA (KTRK) -- A 7-year-old dog in Pennsylvania is getting some much-needed rest today after he fell into an icy river in pursuit of a deer.

Chance and the deer he chased fell through the ice, but only Chance survived, local station WTAE reports. Chance survived two hours in 36-degree water until he could be pulled ashore by emergency crews.

His owner, Raymond Kosto, a retired Marine, calls the dog's will to live "unbelievable." Kosto said, "I had my gun at my hip and I thought about putting him out of his misery, but I couldn't. He hung on."

In an interview with WTAE, Kosto credited the rescuers. He said, "Thank God there are men like that in this world, and they're heroes. Everybody calls me a hero, but these are my babies."