Watch VideoMan rescues deer from frozen lake
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: NBC
Published Tue Dec 18, 2007, 12:37 PM MST
Updated Wed Dec 19, 2007, 07:42 AM MST
If you've seen the movie "Bambi", you know how difficult it can be for a deer to stand on the ice, but if you saw a deer struggling on a frozen lake, would you risk your own safety to help it?
David Cook, who lives on Sand Lake north of New Auburn, Wisconsin, said he didn't think twice about helping the deer. His plan of attack was set and his wife caught the whole rescue on tape.
On Saturday morning the Cook's woke up to a deer struggling to get to it's feet on the frozen lake. "This is not something you experience every day" said Mrs. Cook.
"My wife spotted the deer out on the lake and it wasn't getting up so we decided I'd go out there and see if I could help it off the ice somehow" David Cook added.
It's something John Dunn with the Department of Natural Resources doesn't recommend. "Regardless of what type of animal it is it's not really worth risking a human life" Dunn said.
When David got to the deer he just had to help. "It had ice on it's eyebrows, it had ice around its muzzle so probably it had been out there for part of the night even."
David quickly earned the deer's trust. "First it was pretty scared obviously" David said.
"The animal doesn't know that you're trying to save it and you just don't know how they're going to react" explained Dunn.
This deer was all for the help and the two quickly made friends. Cook was even able to pet it. David said he may have even done Santa a favor. "I kind of think this is Rudolph that was out there and you know doesn't hurt to rescue Rudolph before Christmas."
Even though the deer and David weren't hurt, Dunn recommends if you come across a stranded animal to call the fire and rescue squad in your area to help it out safely.
