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Posted: January 14, 2010

Blowing Rock man falls through ice, dies

Blowing Rock, N.C. — A Blowing Rock man died after falling through the ice of a frozen pond in Watagua County Wednesday, according to Blue Ridge Parkway rangers.

Chief Ranger Steve Stinnett said that Robert K. Todd, 52, and his 9-year-old son were walking their four dogs on a trail near Trout Lake, near mile marker 294 of the parkway, around 5:30 p.m. One the dogs got out of its harness and chased some geese on the lake.

Todd ran after the dog onto the frozen lake and fell through the ice, then drowned, Stinnett said.

His son was unhurt, as was the dog.

Stinnett said that no one should walk out onto frozen bodies of water in North Carolina. Often, a lake or pond looks completely frozen, but warmer waters from streams and creeks feeding into it keep the ice from becoming too thick.

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Latest Comments

@abbyjaynes Not sure my dogs would save me, they'd probably eat my dead carcass. But I'd try to save them, anyway....

dumpbin
January 14, 2010 7:36 p.m.

DeathRow-IFeelYourPain-NOT I don't get it either, you have a 9 yr old son to take care of, dogs are expendable.

batcave
January 14, 2010 5:42 p.m.

I am not chastising Death Row for the his comment...as I believe he is right. I do know, however, that I would do the same as this poor man if I thought my dog was in danger of dying. I do not love my dog more than my family, but he is a member of my family! And he would risk his life to save me, that's for sure!

abbyjaynes
January 14, 2010 5:25 p.m.

Lookout Deathrow. All the dog lovers will be on your case shortly. There are lots of people who love their dogs more than humans and consider them like children. I don't get it either, but I suspect you'll be chastised for focusing on anything except the grief the family is dealing with.

AtALost
January 14, 2010 5:03 p.m.

Yes, prayers for the family's suffering.

But over a dog?!@ You NEVER should put a human life in danger to rescue ANY animal. I don't care if its a highly expensive trained movie animal. Not worth a human life to save an animal. I don't care what the circumstances are. No matter what jeopardy the animal is in, if there's a risk, let it go. If you love your pet more than you love your family, then have at it. You've already got problems if that is the case.