Woman drowns retrieving dog from frozen pond

**RaVen Blackehart** · January 4th, 2009, 10:58 AM

New Jersey authorities say a woman drowned trying to retrieve her grandson's dog from a frozen pond.

Authorities say 61-year-old Janet Howard was walking a German Shepherd named Apollo on Saturday when it wandered onto the ice covering Plainsboro Pond. Police speculate that Howard went after the dog but the ice broke, plunging her and the animal into the water about 25 feet from shore.

A passer-by on a bicycle heard Howard's cries and tried to help her, but he also fell through the ice.

He fought his way back to shore and raced home to call 911. Rescue workers later found Howard about 4 1/2 feet beneath the surface. She was taken to Princeton Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

The dog somehow reached the shore and ran home.

http://www.buffalonews.com/260/story/539387.html

**Sister Iroz** · January 4th, 2009, 11:39 AM

New Jersey authorities say a woman drowned trying to retrieve her grandson's dog from a frozen pond.

Authorities say 61-year-old Janet Howard was walking a German Shepherd named Apollo on Saturday when it wandered onto the ice covering Plainsboro Pond. Police speculate that Howard went after the dog but the ice broke, plunging her and the animal into the water about 25 feet from shore.

A passer-by on a bicycle heard Howard's cries and tried to help her, but he also fell through the ice.

He fought his way back to shore and raced home to call 911. Rescue workers later found Howard about 4 1/2 feet beneath the surface. She was taken to Princeton Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

The dog somehow reached the shore and ran home.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=6571672

Oh so sad, but I would have gone after my dog too. It's your first reaction is to go save your dog.

**~Absynthe~** · January 4th, 2009, 11:41 AM

the guy is lucky that he didnt die also 9 times out of 10 that is what happens

**Sister Iroz** · January 4th, 2009, 11:41 AM

Sorry Raven I just posted this too, my bad. Hopefully they will move it or delete it.

**Sister Iroz** · January 4th, 2009, 11:43 AM

Sorry, my bad I've been checking searches but admit this one I didn't. I see I've had a few oopsies will try harder with searches.

**RaVen Blackehart** · January 4th, 2009, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Special2bme

Sorry, my bad I've been checking searches but admit this one I didn't. I see I've had a few oopsies will try harder with searches.

I can't even count how many times I've done that too, lol. Don't worry about it.

**Owd Scrat** · January 4th, 2009, 07:11 PM

Ohhhh that's so sad

**Jessiesgirl1108** · January 5th, 2009, 03:15 PM

New Jersey authorities say a woman drowned trying to retrieve her grandson's dog from a frozen pond.

Authorities say 61-year-old Janet Howard was walking a German Shepherd named Apollo on Saturday when it wandered onto the ice covering Plainsboro Pond. Police speculate that Howard went after the dog but the ice broke, plunging her and the animal into the water about 25 feet from shore.

A passer-by on a bicycle heard Howard's cries and tried to help her, but he also fell through the ice.

He fought his way back to shore and raced home to call 911. Rescue workers later found Howard about 4 1/2 feet beneath the surface. She was taken to Princeton Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

The dog somehow reached the shore and ran home.

Ain't that a bitch!

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...TAM&SECTION=US