RACINE COUNTY — A man and a dog were rescued from an icy pond in the Village of Raymond on Sunday.
According to the Racine County Sheriff's Office, deputies and Raymond Fire/Rescue were called to a home on 3 Mile Road around 2:30 p.m.
A 58-year-old man had fallen through the ice while trying to help a neighbor's dog that fell into the frigid water. RCSO estimated the man was in the water for more than 10 minutes while holding onto the ice's edge and trying to keep the dog afloat.
Deputies and a Wisconsin State Trooper deployed a life safety throw rope. The man was pulled to shore along with the dog when members of the Racine Sheriff Dive Team got the pair out of the water.
The second dog climbed out of the water on its own before deputies arrived.
The 58-year-old man and both dogs are expected to be okay.
Investigators found the dogs went onto the pond while chasing geese when then they fell through the ice.
Read the announcement below:
On Sunday March 5, 2023, at 2:27 PM, Racine County Sheriff’s Deputies and Raymond Fire/Rescue were dispatched to a residence on 3 Mile Road in the Village of Raymond for a male that fell through the ice.
While responding, reports indicated the male was about 50 feet offshore on the large pond and had fallen through the ice after trying to rescue a dog that had also fallen through the ice. The male was too weak to climb out and was holding on to the edge of the ice, trying to keep the dog afloat. He was estimated to have been in the frigid water over 10 minutes.
Deputies and a Wisconsin State Trooper arrived on scene within minutes and deployed a life safety throw rope. The male was barely able to grasp the rope as his strength was fading. The 58-year-old male was pulled through the ice and to shore along with the dog. At this point, two RASO investigators, who are also members of the Racine Sheriff Dive Team, were able to rapidly don their water rescue equipment and pull the male out of the water onto shore. Deputies had the victim out of the water within 3 minutes after arriving on scene.
The male was transported to a local hospital by Raymond Fire/Rescue for evaluation of hypothermia and lacerations. The dog, whose name is “Bo”, was assisted out of the water and to a warm vehicle. After warming up, Bo appeared to be ok as he was licking deputies and wanting their attention.
Investigation revealed the elderly female homeowner’s two dogs went onto the pond chasing geese. Once they fell through the ice, she called the male victim who lives close by. Upon his arrival, he tried walking out on the ice to pull the dogs out when he fell through. One dog was able to climb out prior to arrival of deputies. The male victim and both dogs are expected to make a full recovery.
The Racine County Sheriff’s Office equips all patrol cars with the life safety rope, specifically designed for water rescue. It is believed the male was within minutes of going underwater. Today’s incident showed how invaluable the life safety equipment carried by deputies can truly be.
Sheriff Christopher Schmaling
By: Sgt. Joe Patla
