Two dogs drown in Duck Creek

HOBART, Wis. - In a matter of two days, two dogs drowned in Duck Creek in Hobart.

Emily Wendland and her two-year-old boxer Lexi were regulars at the Brown County Dog Park. It was a place Wendland never considered dangerous until Saturday, when Lexi fell through the ice on the Duck Creek River and drowned.

“The current sucked her right under the ice,” said Wendland. “It's awful, it's hard. You want her to come up, you want to find her somewhere.”

Wendland said without thinking about her own safety, she plunged into the water after her pet. Struggling in six feet of water, Wendland said she went under. Only her outstretched hand was visible. A friend was with her and grabbed her hand to pull Wendland from the rushing current.

“I'm glad that my friend was there because it probably would have sucked me under the ice as well,” said Wendland.

Wendland and her sister Angie Ness said they know going in after the pet was dangerous, but adrenaline had taken over.

“The dogs are like children. I mean to rescue your child that's what it seemed like,” said Ness.

Wendland isn't the only pet owner to lose her dog this weekend. Bill VanBeek said his family lost Kessler, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, in the river on Friday.

VanBeek said losing Kessler is like losing a member of the family. Brown County Park Manager Rick Ledvina urges people and pet owners to be cautious as the ice melts and the rivers swell.

“It's an every year occurrence. It's more of an on your own I think and know the situation that you're dealing with,” said Ledvina.

Local dog owners put up a sign to warn others of the conditions, but park officials said they have no plans to put up additional signage.

Dog owner Kurt Hoffman said he is cautious every spring when venturing out with his pet.

“This time of year I just don't go down there 'til the after level goes down 'cause I don't want him getting caught in the current or anything,” said Hoffman.

Ness and Wendland said not everyone is aware of the dangers the river poses in spring. And they want to raise awareness so other pet owners don't find themselves in a heartbreaking situation.