Staff Reports
Harrison Township firefighters rescued a dog after receiving a report that the dog had fallen through ice on a lake.
The firefighters arrived to find the dog about 75 feet from the shore struggling to stay above the surface of the water, said Fire Chief Josh Kestler.
Firefighter Garrett Pevlor donned an ice rescue suit while Firefighter Drake Hendershot tended the recovery rope. Firefighter Kiowa Chaplin donned a backup ice rescue suit in case of the need for a safety rescue. Captain Chad Emmitt was the officer in charge of the scene.
Pevlor entered the ice water and rapidly advanced towards the floundering dog, he broke through the ice several times making the trip significantly harder. He reached the dog about the time it was starting to go under and grabbed the dog, keeping him above the surface, Kestler said.
Pevlor signaled to Hendershot to pull them to shore. At about 10 feet from the shore, the dog, in a hypothermic state, bit Pevlor on the face, but Kestler said the firefighter’s injuries are minor. The dog was taken inside a home, dried off and allowed to recover.
Firefighters reminded community residents that ice on ponds and lakes is thin and extremely dangerous and warned them not to venture out on the ice.
The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department and Columbus Township Fire Rescue assisted at the scene.
