Fire Department

There were no serious injuries following an incident on Lake Monona, where a dog fell through the ice and its owner also fell in while attempting to rescue the dog from the icy water.

Engine Co. 3 and Medic 3 responded along with the MFD Lake Rescue Team to the area of Lake Monona where the Yahara River meets the lake. While crews were en route, the woman was able to get back on to the ice but the dog was still stranded in the water. Engine 3’s crew headed out onto the ice with rescue equipment, but the fragility of the ice forced the crew to hold back and await the response of the Lake Rescue Team and its airboat.

Lake Rescue, responding from Law Park, arrived on scene. One firefighter donned an ice rescue suit, climbed in the water, and rescued the dog. It's estimated the dog was in the water for nearly 20 minutes. Both dog and owner were brought to an ambulance to warm up but did not require further EMS treatment or hospital transport.

The public is reminded there are certain areas on the lake where ice is not as thick as it might seem. Inlets such as where the Yahara River flows into Lake Monona, as well as the area around Machinery Row, are to be avoided when out on the ice.