WATCH: Prior Lake firefighters rescue deer stranded on thin ice
PRIOR LAKE, Minn. — Firefighters banded together Monday morning to help a deer stuck on a Twin Cities lake.
The Prior Lake Fire Department was called to Pike Lake at about 10 a.m. after neighbors reported seeing a buck struggling on thin ice, according to city officials.
Video released by the city shows firefighters, clad in ice gear and connected by ropes, carefully crawling across the lake and pushing the buck to the shoreline.
MORE: Minnesota DNR: Don't veer during peak deer, moose season
The exhausted buck took a rest before retreating into the reeds.
"The buck made it through [deer hunting season], here's hoping he makes it through this as well," said city officials.
Deer firearm season wrapped up Sunday in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Fire Chief Rick Steinhaus says ice is never 100% safe, but it's not safe at all this time of year.
"The smaller ponds, the shallow water is getting ice covered, but it's very dangerous, very thin and uneven freezing, so we don't want anyone out there at all," Steinhaus said.
Steinhaus says it's already dangerous enough for professionals to go out on the thin ice, so if you see an animal out there, don't try to help it yourself, as that could only make matters worse.
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