Channahon Fire Rescues Deer From DuPage River

CHANNAHON, IL - On Monday morning, members of the Channahon Fire Protection District were busy performing a water rescue in the DuPage River. The apparent victim, you ask? A deer that had gotten trapped in the cold waters after walking on soft ice. The incident occurred near the bridge along Route 6. Several motorists saw the deer and called the Channahon Police Department. In turn, a couple police officers responded to the scene and realized their fire department had the capability and equipment to perform a successful rescue operation. Channahon fire was alerted to the situation shortly before 8:30 a.m., Fire Chief John Petrakis explained to Patch on Tuesday morning.

"We've never had to deal with an animal rescue," Petrakis said, adding that there's been instances over the years where the department was called in reference to raccoons that could be hiding in someone's attic.

When Channahon firefighters go the scene, the deer was treading water and kept slipping with its hooves as it tried to climb on top of the nearby ice. Channahon Fire used its inflatable boat, called a Zodiac, and eventually the firefighters coaxed the distressed deer to go to the shoreline along the east side of the river.

"It took about an hour," Petrakis said. "It appears that the deer was all by itself. We didn't spot any other deer."

Petrakis said he's pleased Monday's animal rescue turned out OK. On Tuesday morning, WJOL Morning Host Scott Slocum offered praise to the Channahon Fire district for its efforts in saving the deer.

"It did have a happy ending," Chief Petrakis told Patch. "I don't know the condition of the deer. We were glad were able to help."

Main image via Patch file/courtesy of Fairfax County, secondary image via Channahon Patch