Boardman Fire crews along with the Mahoning County Dog Warden were on scene after officials say a bystander called a team of Animal Charity agents and deputy dog wardens to rescue two dogs from an island in Lake Newport.

According to Boardman Fire Chief, Mark Pitzer, two dogs were trapped on the island the lake. Pitzer says bystander called 911 who sent the rescue team out to help the dogs.

21 News spoke with Animal Charity Coordinator, Jane MacMurchy at the scene who tells us the dogs have been on an island at the lake for a few days. She tells us she's tried to go after the dogs before, but they ran off. 

MacMurchy told us that the bystander called 911 about dogs on ice on Thursday and dispatchers called the rescue team in to save them. She tells us saving them was not an easy task.

"It took quite a long time to get through the island because of the really thick, five to 10 feet off the ground brambles and tree trunks and fallen trees and overgrowth ... they actually had to climb over every thing to get to the dogs and then we had to be able to capture them and get them on the boat and row them back," MacMurchy said.

Audio from the bystander's call to 911 reveals that there has been a continued effort to rescue these dogs with the dogs fleeing back to the island during every previous attempt.

"They've been running loose in the area and they keep swimming to the island and back off ... they don't want to be caught. Every time we try to catch them they swim out there," the dispatcher told the caller.

The dogs are currently in the custody of the Mahoning County Dog Warden. Chief Pitzer along with the Dog Warden says the dogs are expected to be okay. MacMurchy told us the dogs appeared to be strays.

MacMurchy was joined by Animal Charity Agent Jessica MacMurchy, Deputy Dog Warden Tara Girty and Deputy Dog Warden Dave Nelson in the rescue.

21 News has a crew on scene gathering more information. Stick with us online and on air for the latest updates.