Eagan firefighters rescue 2 dogs that fell through ice

EAGAN, Minn. (KMSP) - Firefighters in Eagan rescued two dogs that went through the ice and were starting to go under water Thursday morning.

The incident happened on East Thomas Lake.

The City of Eagan says this is a good reminder that the ice on ponds and lakes are not safe to walk on yet.

Both dogs are safe and back with their owners.

The DNR says there’s no sure answer of when ice is safe and people shouldn’t judge the strength of ice just by its appearance.

The general ice thickness guidelines from the Minnesota DNR:

For new, clear ice only

2" or less - STAY OFF
4" - Ice fishing or other activities on foot
5" - Snowmobile or ATV
8" - 12" - Car or small pickup
12" - 15" - Medium truck

Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe.
White ice or "snow ice" is only about half as strong as new clear ice. Double the above thickness guidelines when traveling on white ice.