Victim in ice pond rescue speaks

“I’m very happy to be alive, and even more happy that my dog is safe.”

The man that was rescued from an icy pond in south Columbia is identified as Zach Helmich. He told ABC 17 that he was just walking with his dog, Bluea around the pond. As they were playing fetch, Bluea saw geese and ran into the icy pond.

Helmich did what some other owners would have done, and ran into the icy water. Authorities however say that is exactly what you shouldn’t do. “If your animal or loved one goes into the ice, please by all means stay off the ice… we have specialized suits that we were able to get on a grant several years ago with our department. They are ice rescue suits which are fully float-able. The suit allows us to get in the thermal temperatures of the water,” says Captain Joey Simmons with Cooper County Fire Protection District.

The owner told ABC 17 news that he would have rather risked his own life for his dog, Bluea.

Columbia Fire Department also wants to remind mid- Missourians that any ice less than two inches is dangerous and should be avoided. Columbia Pet Hospital also said that any animal that is in 40 degree water or colder for longer than ten minutes has a risk of hypothermia.