Residents, Firefighters Work Together To Save Pup From Icy Lake

WONDER LAKE, IL — A German Shepherd puppy that fell through an icy lake earlier this month was saved thanks to the collaborative work of local residents and firefighters who came to the young dog's aid.
The dog escaped from its yard, which is about six blocks from the lake in Wonder Lake, on Feb. 6. Shortly after, reports and pictures of a dog on the ice in the middle of the lake began showing up on local community Facebook pages.

Michael Weber, fire chief with the Wonder Lake Fire Protection District, told Patch he saw the social media post and decided to head out to the lake to make sure it was not a wild animal instead of a dog.

"People reported a dog on the lake and were worried about it falling through the ice or open water. I responded to the group that I was going to see what we could do and started getting several reports where the dog was at on the lake," Weber said.

Officials determined it was a dog and launched an airboat. While trying to get to the dog, rescue crews saw the dog fall through the ice several times.

"He was able to get himself out each time," Weber said. "We were able to grab him once by the collar but he escaped from the collar, but we were able to get his name and a phone number to call."

A resident who lived close to the beach brought rescue crews lunch meat to help lure the dog to the airboat, Weber said.

"The owner met us at the beach after we caught the dog," Weber said. "Both the owner and the dog were happy to see each other."

The dog's owner brought the puppy back home where the dog rest and "drank about a gallon of water," Weber said. He slept for about three hours and did not require a trip to the veterinarian.

Weber went to visit the dog at home the next day and said he was doing well.

He also said he was impressed by the number of community members who reported the incident and tried to help get him off the thawing lake.

"I was surprised and happy to see and hear the number of people in our community out on shore calling and trying to help get the dog off the lake," he said.