Victim Treats His Rescuers Like A Dog But Firefighters Glad For Chance To Practice Ice-Rescue Techniques

When firefighter Gary Mobbs executed his first ice rescue Wednesday, the victim - who nearly drowned in the frigid water of Hauser Lake - didn’t even stop to say thanks.

Instead, he just took off running.

But Mobbs didn’t mind.

“He was one scared puppy,” the firefighter said. Mobbs wasn’t kidding.

The would-be drowning victim was a black and brown shepherd mix that goes by the name Sammy.

Wednesday afternoon the wayward dog became the first person - make that the first victim - to be rescued by the Hauser Lake Fire Department after falling through the ice-covered lake.

The stunt left Sammy cold, wet and tired, but no worse for wear. However, it also landed him behind bars in the doggy clink.

As for the firefighters, “We’re all real excited,” Mobbs said. “We don’t care if it was a dog or a human - it was a save.”

Every year, Hauser Lake firefighters train to rescue people who have fallen through the ice. Victims in the past have broken through the ice and drowned before they could be saved.

Wednesday afternoon, the crisp weather had frozen the top of Hauser Lake west of Coeur d’Alene. Mobbs believes Sammy headed out on the ice to chase ducks.

About 150 feet from shore, the dog fell through a soft spot in the ice. Passers-by peppered the Post Falls emergency center with calls as they watched the frightened pup struggle to escape the icy depths.

Six Hauser Lake volunteer firefighters rushed to the scene. Mobbs slipped into an “ice-rescue suit” - an orange outfit that keeps him dry and allows him to float if he falls though the ice.

Mobbs walked toward the dog until the ice beneath him began cracking. Then he began to crawl, inching himself toward the 12-foot hole.

Sammy was doing the dog paddle, trying to pull himself up on the ice when Mobbs slipped part way into the water and grabbed the dog.

Mobbs held the canine to his chest. Firefighters on shore then pulled the two in by a rope that had been tied to Mobbs.

When the duo got to shore, Sammy ran for it.

“He didn’t thank us at all,” Mobbs said with a laugh. “He was out of there.”

Sammy didn’t get far before animal control Deputy Ed Krause picked up the dog and took him to the Humane Society.

“I lured him in with milk bones,” Krause said. “He was nervous and a little shaken.”

Sammy’s tags bore a Post Falls phone number. Krause said he would contact the dog’s owner.

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