The Monday rescue of a hunting dog from an icy marsh on Devils Lake reveals to us two important things:

1.) The rescuers from Alpena, Alpena Township, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources deserve praise for their five hours of heroics that brought the animal and all emergency personnel safely back to shore.

2.) The incident proves that our local emergency crews work well together and that that cooperation saves lives.

In case you missed the story, here’s the background:

On Monday evening, a group of bobcat hunters called to report their dog had become trapped in the icy marsh and dispatchers sent out Alpena Township. DNR conservation officers also responded. The hunters already had tried to reach the dog on their own without success.

Recognizing the rescue was beyond their abilities and at the suggestion of the conservation officers, the Alpena Township crew called Alpena rescuers at about 8:30 p.m.

Conservation officers took the rescuers, decked out in cold-water gear, to the marsh via snowmobile, reaching the animal after midnight. They got the dog into the rescue sled and all were safely returned to shore about 12:30 a.m.

Crews decided to attempt the rescue not only to save the dog’s life but because the dog’s owners wanted to attempt the rescue themselves. Having trained and equipped personnel out there to save the animal may have also saved the lives of humans who could have faltered in their own rescue attempt.

The crews deserve the community’s gratitude for their willingness to put themselves in harm’s way to save the life even of an animal. Thank you for your dedication.

In addition to Alpena, Alpena Township, and the DNR, Green Township crews were placed on standby in case their airboat was needed for the rescue.

We’re glad to see our area emergency crews work so well together, operating as one smooth team, pooling resources to get done what needs to get done. There’s no question of jurisdiction to our local first responders when lives are at stake. That kind of cooperation benefits us all, because the crews are good at it and you never know when one of us might need those partnerships to save our own lives.

Thanks to all involved.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)