dog charles river rescue — Leika is safe after being rescued from the icy Charles River by a quick-acting construction worker. Photo credit: Wellesley Police

A dog named Leika was rescued by a construction worker after the pooch fell through thin ice on the Charles River near Route 9/Route 128.

The dog, let loose by its owner, went into the Charles from the Needham side of the river, according to Wellesley Police. The owner, from Newton, fell into the river too while trying to rescue the dog, but the owner was able to get back to the shoreline. A nearby construction worker went in after the dog from the Wellesley side and got her out. The Wellesley Police and Fire Departments, the Newton Police and Fire Departments, and the State Police all responded to the incident.

The construction worker was taken to Newton-Wellesley Hospital as a precaution.

Wellesley has seen numerous dog rescue attempts along the Charles in recent years (Deja vu: Wellesley Fire, Police departments rescue another dog from the icy Charles River and Wellesley firefighters, police save dog from icy Charles River)