Sayreville firefighters were given a PETA award recently after rescuing a deer in a frozen pond.
SAYREVILLE -- The Sayreville Fire Department is being given a PETA award after firefighters rescued a young deer last week who had fallen through the ice in Waterworks Park in South Amboy, according to a statement from the city.
In the early morning on Dec. 16, South Amboy Animal Control officials spotted the deer bobbing in the freezing water.
Sayreville Fire Department's newly-formed ice rescue team was called upon to respond. Though the team had been training for two years, members had not yet engaged in a real-life scenario, the statement said.
But, in about 30 minutes, firefighters Chris Mierzwiak, Ray Deecken and Mike Marcinyck Jr. worked together to bring the deer safely out of the frigid water using special ice rescue suits, ropes, a flotation device, and a sled, according to the city.
The deer was slid onto a backboard before being brought out of the water, according to a previous report.
The rescuers dried off the deer and provided him warmth with a blanket. They then released him back into the woods.
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