Chicago cops have saved a small pooch that escaped from its owner and ended up hundreds of feet from shore on an ice drift.

The dog recue took place in the neighbourhood of Streeterville in Chicago in the US state of Illinois on the morning of 1st February.

The Chicago Police Department (CPD) said the pooch fled from its owner and ran towards Lake Michigan.

The animal, identified as a seven-year-old Alaskan Klee Kai called Pepper, ended up on an ice drift after running onto the ice and slipping into the freezing cold water.

Trapped on the ice drift, the pooch ended up around 500 feet from the shore.

CPD officers contacted the fire brigade and divers carrying out routine exercises in the area were able to quickly reach the dog’s position and bring it back to its worried owner.

Chicago Fire Media shared images of the rescue on social media with the message: “The CFD’s (Chicago Fire Department) work doesn’t always involve fires, hazmats and building rescues. This morning, while conducting routine drills, CFD Divers received a call of a dog in the water. A quick calculated response brought this lucky dog safely back to shore from an ice drift 500 feet out.

The police said on Twitter: “@ChicagoCAPS18 and @CFDMedia saving Pepper the Pup and returning Pepper to his owner! Great Job Officers and @CFDMedia.”

The police said the dog was taken to a veterinary clinic and was found to be in great condition.