COLUMBUS, Ind. — Harrison Township firefighters rescued a labrador retriever after receiving a report that the dog had fallen through ice on a lake.
The firefighters arrived to find a Labrador Retriever 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 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 K9 about the time he was starting to go under and grabbed hold of the K9, keeping him above the surface.
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 his injuries are minor. The dog was taken inside a home, dried off and allowed to recover.
Emergency Responders want to remind the public that the ice on ponds and lakes are extremely dangerous and urge citizens of Bartholomew County along with their children and pets to not venture out on the ice. Harrison Township Fire Company would like to thank the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department and Columbus Township Fire Rescue for their assistance.
