The Grosse Ile Police Department had first received a report of a dog barking at what was believed to be a person fallen through the ice in the Thorofare Canal.
Grosse Ile police officers responded and found a doe exhausted and near death attempting to climb upon the ice to safety from the frigid waters, according to the police and fire officials.
The deer was only able to get its front legs and torso onto the ice and struggled tirelessly to get her hind legs out of the water but was overwhelmed by fatigue and the freezing water.
Animal Control Officer Julie Cortis, along with Fire Chief Duncan Murdock and Fire Marshal Russell Bodrie, made their first attempt at rescue using ground ladders and cold water rescue suits.
The deer was frightened by rescuers and swam to the opposite shoreline only again to be trapped by surrounding ice and a seawall, preventing its ability to exit the water to safety.
(The Oakland Press - Jan 10, 2013)
