Indiana Conservation officers are reporting that they helped rescue a dog from freezing water yesterday.

Indiana Department of Natural Resource worked with the Greensburg Fire Department and Decatur County Sheriff’s Department to save the dog from the Flatrock River.

A pet owner noticed their dog was barking around the river and found him stuck in the ice after apparently trying to walk across. The fire department went out on the ice and retrieved the dog, bringing him safely back to shore with the help of conservation officers and deputies. Officers report that the dog is back home and warming up.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is warning this morning about the danger of thinning ice with the warmer temperatures.

The sheriff says that people should never go on the ice alone and urges you to always let a trusted person know where you are going and when you intend to return.

If you do see someone fall through the ice, don’t try to go out on the ice and rescue them yourself. The sheriff says that if an untrained person without the right equipment goes out on the ice, rescue workers will soon have two people to rescue, instead of just one. Instead, you should call 911 immediately and keep the victim in sight.

The sheriff’s department  has released the following tips to help you stay safe:

•  A minimum of four inches of ice is recommended for ice fishing or skating.
•  A minimum of five inches of ice is recommended for ATVs and snowmobiles.
•  A minimum of eight inches of ice is recommended for cars and light trucks.
•  A minimum of ten inches of ice is recommended for medium trucks.
•  Always wear a life jacket or float coat and carry ice hooks.

They also recommend you leave a note on the dash of your vehicle stating what you are doing and when you intend to return.

For more information  you can go to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page.