This tragic story is a warning to those who love to walk their dogs.
We know that walking dogs have health benefits for you and your dogs. It’s a form of exercise, and it can be your bonding moment, too. Plus, the outdoors and nature can help in your emotional and mental health.
However, one should always take precautions.
This is important, especially if you go into unfamiliar territory when you go on a vacation and decide to walk nearby. You should also be cautious, especially if there are natural dangers around. If you go into the woods, you’ll never know what you’ll encounter.
But this story happened in an icy lake.
This can be more dangerous than any other surface or location you take your dog out on a walk. Aside from the frigid temperature, you can’t be too sure if the ice is safe enough to walk on.
This is what happened to David Schmidt.
David went on a hike with three dogs – two are his and one of a friend’s – in Tahoe Paradise Park, Meyers, California. They came across Lake Baron, which was frozen at that time. The lake is usually safe to walk across, but it was just two inches too thin to be safe at that time.
Authorities believed that the dogs walked on thin ice and fell.
David’s friends believed that he did not dive into the freezing water just because he wanted to. They know he would not do such a thing unless it is crucial.
True enough, he went in the water to save the dogs.
Unfortunately, David wasn’t able to save himself. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO) was alerted of the incident. The Lake Valley Fire Department stepped in to help in rescuing David and the dogs.
Lake Valley Fire Captain Perry Quinn said that they saw the dogs in the water when they arrived.
“It’s amazing how resilient the dogs can be,” Quinn said to FOX40. “They were still alive and paddling when we got there.”
However, they did not find a body.
All they found was his jacket in the water. They have nothing much to do, so they got the dogs out of the water and took them to the veterinarian right away. It was a relief that the dogs were safe and were returned home right away.
They went back the next day with the EDSO Dive and Search and Rescue Teams, Douglas County Sheriff’s Boat Team, Lakes Valley, and Tahoe Fire Departments to search for David’s body.
Captain Quin has some final reminders for everyone:
“Never be out there alone. (Go) with a partner, someone who can call 911 if there is an accident. Don’t attempt to self-rescue. Don’t attempt to rescue your dogs on your own. We’re more prepared. Don’t enter the water alone.”
We hope this serves as a lesson for everyone to be more careful when going outdoors.
As for David, he died a hero saving those dogs and putting their safety above his.
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