ARVADA, Colo — A man and his dog are OK after the owner jumped into Garrison Lake to retrieve his pup that jumped into the icy waters Thursday morning.
Arvada police and another person on the scene were able to rescue the man and take him back to the shore around 8 a.m., Arvada Fire tweeted. Arvada police officers used a rope to help rescue the man.
The department said the dog was swimming and couldn't make it back to shore when the owner went in after the pup. The man was cold and treated at the lake but had no injuries.
Arvada Fire reminded pet owners to stay off ice and keep animals on a leash around ponds.
It said always call 911 and stay on shore avoiding entering the icy waters to go after people or pets.
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers these tips about falling through ice:
- Staying calm helps conserve energy. You can expect to lose strength as time progresses, so make more deliberate, harder movements in the beginning
- Avoid trying to swim as that will cause your body to lose heat. Try to stay still as possible
- If possible, try to position your arms onto the ice. Kicking your feet can help life your body onto the ice.
- Use a whistle or yell for help to alert others
