Thin ice

[Waumbek]

If you hike with dogs, keep them (and yourself) off the "ice" on ponds at lower elevations right now. It's just forming and thin, which is probably the case at Pondicherry wildlife refuge (Coos Trail) where this dog, and then her owner, fell through yesterday afternoon.

[start quote]Dog rescued after falling through the ice on pond
7 hours, 36 minutes ago
Whitefield — A team of rescuers pulled a dog named Jenny from frigid waters in Cherry Pond after she fell through the ice yesterday afternoon.
Firefighters, police and a state Fish and Game officer came to Jenny's rescue after her owner, a Manchester man, fell through the ice trying to save her. He freed himself from the pond but was unable to get his dog.
Fire Chief John St. Martin said the dog and its owner were out walking at a wildlife refuge near the airport when the young Saint Bernard mix ran out onto thin ice and fell through about 70 to 80 feet from the shore.
St. Martin would not identify Jenny's owner but said he fell through the ice trying to rescue her. When his legs became numb, he got out of the water and called for help.
Firefighters, two Whitefield police officers and the Fish and Game officer roped themselves together and broke through the ice, forming a line. They used a pole with a loop at the end to pull the dog into shore.
St. Martin said both dog and owner were invited to warm up at the fire station.
"She was a beautiful dog," he said. Once she dried off, "she perked right up," he said.[end quote]

 

[jade]

Thanks for the 'heads-up' Waumbek.....

My non-hiking friends used to think I was too strict while training my dog Carmen...I knew that my training was in part due to the fact that she and I would be doing a lot of hiking (off leash) together....While out on the trail, I can emit a simple whistle and Carmen will stop and turn around....if I sense danger ahead, I can whistle, put my hand up in a 'STOP' position and Carmen will stop, sit and wait for me...I've never had to use this particular training in a real emergency but I typically 'practice' on each outing to make sure she still remembers it....I feel confident that Carmen will never end up in the same predicament as that poor St Bernard mix! Glad to know the story ended on a good note.....

I've got an ice rescue certification, but without a drysuit and rope, a one on one rescue would be near impossible.....losing your dog in icey water would be a terrible thing...

...Jade

 

[Dugan]

And that's why Dugan four-legs still hikes mostly on a leash - his training isn't that good.

Keep in mind that while dog instincts are different than human instincts, they do not have the "canine super powers" that some people attribute to them. Among many other myths, they cannot sense when the ice isn't safe. It's up to us humans to keep our hiking companions safe, whatever their leg count.

 

[sierra]

Very good point wambeck, on the same note, watch inground pools with covers. I was recently at a friends house in the backyard, when my dog ran out onto his pool cover, the cover sank in alittle she was, I thought "going in" instincts are amazing, before I knew it I was out on the pool cover grabbing her, turns out it was a safety cover and held my weight and the dogs, luckely, we where both a little wet and I was very shaken. I love my dog and the whole scene could have been awfull.

 

[SAR-EMT40]

if I sense danger ahead, I can whistle, put my hand up in a 'STOP' position and Carmen will stop, sit and wait for me...Jade

This is the way to save your dogs life.

I've got an ice rescue certification, but without a drysuit and rope, a one on one rescue would be near impossible.....losing your dog in icey water would be a terrible thing...Jade

We all love our pets, but don't go after one who has broken through the ice. For that matter don't go after another person who has broken through the ice. Throw a rope bag, or lay a ladder but don't go out onto the ice without the proper gear, training or protection. Don't turn a possible cold dog into a body recovery. Teach your children this also. Please!

Keith

 

[Grumpy]

My Experience

Years ago one of our dogs (a Springer Spaniel) went through the ice covering a creek that runs across our property, near the house. The water was not deep but the pooch was unable to clamber back up onto the ice.

Luckily, we heard her “crying” and I was able to wade in hip deep and get her out. I don’t think she had been in the water very long at that point. The dog was becoming hypothermic, losing strength and certainly would have succumbed had I not taken the risky step of wading in. It is not something I recommend, and only justify my action because I am/was very familiar with the stream -- its depth, bottom characteristics, current, etc. -- at that spot.

I quickly got the dog into the house and Mrs. Grumpy gently rewarmed her with a dip in tepid (not hot) water in the bathtub. (I rewarmed me with a hot shower!) After the dog stopped shivering, we dried her off, gave her some food and water. I had a double shot of whisky. The pooch slept for hours after that and seemed to have made a full recovery by the next morning.

That was a cold and frightening experience. Since then we have discouraged our dogs from approaching the creek (as best that can be done). We always keep a close eye on them when they are let out of the house to “do their chores,” particularly in winter months. When hiking we use a leash to keep positive control over our dogs, especially near water bodies during the ice season.

G.

 

[brianW]

When I was on a rescue dive team in the early 90's we dispatched when dogs went through the ice. We felt it would be safer to do save a dog then the owner risking his/her life. I have seen many reports of the owners going to safe their dog and drowning in the process.

Believe it or not the day after Thanksgiving an ice fisherman fell through and drowned in Warwick, MA.

 

[Waumbek]

If you hike with dogs, keep them (and yourself) off the "ice" on ponds at lower elevations right now.

If you hike with calves, keep them off too.