A deer died after firefighters and police were called by a concerned resident who noticed the animal was injured on the ice on Crystal Lake Tuesday morning.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and Crystal Lake Park District Police responded around 8:15 a.m. Tuesday to the area of the 700 block of Oak Court in Crystal Lake for an animal complaint call.
McHenry County Department of Health Public Information Officer Nick Kubiak said McHenry County Animal Control was notified by the fire department regarding an injured deer stuck in the ice.
“The call was brief. Situations like this require specialized training and are typically handled by fire departments. We commend their swift response and expertise in managing these incidents,” Kubiak said.
Crystal Lake Park District Police Chief John Longo said responders came out to the lake after being contacted by a concerned homeowner.
Emergency crews relocated to the 100 block of South Crandall Avenue and located the deer on the iced-over Crystal Lake.
Two firefighters donned water rescue suits and walked onto the ice to the deer.
Longo said that the deer did not fall through the ice but was injured by coyotes, who had done “significant damage.”
Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Mark Menzel said crews were able to remove the deer from the ice.
“It was not a happy ending for the deer,” Menzel added.
Longo said that the injured deer was unable to stand on its own and “unfortunately” had to be put down by an officer at the scene.