Woman Rescued From Coot Lake After Trying To Save Dog

BOULDER, CO — A woman and her dog are recovering after both fell through the ice on New Year's Day on Coot Lake in Boulder. Passersby saw the woman and called 911 just after 11 a.m. They said the woman had fallen through the ice while she was trying to rescue the dog.

Boulder Fire-Rescue fire engines and the Water Rescue Team arrived and found the woman partially submerged in the water, about 55 feet from the shore, authorities said. The woman's head and arms were above the water and firefighters from Engine 6 began the rescue operation.

Her dog was not in the water when Boulder Fire-Rescue arrived, authorities said. The dog was apparently able to pull itself out of the lake.

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The woman was rescued and taken to a hospital. The Boulder Police Department found her dog and took the pup to the hospital so it could be reunited with its owner.

The Boulder Fire-Rescue Department is reminding everyone not to go out on to ice to try to rescue pets that have fallen into the water.

Jeremy Felix, the department's Water Rescue Team lead, is warning pet owners to be vigilant.

“It is never safe to go out on ice that a pet has fallen through,” Felix said in a statement. “If the ice is not solid enough to hold a pet it is definitely not safe for a person.”

The Boulder Fire-Rescue Department will respond and rescue pets that have fallen into icy waters, officials said. The City of Boulder has a fully trained water rescue team, however all firefighters receive cross training in water and dive rescues.

Many times, pets will be able to get out of the water without assistance, officials said.