Tay Township firefighters are sure to find their stockings full this Christmas morning.
Thanks to their efforts, a young deer was rescued after getting caught far from shore in an icy section of Georgian Bay just off Victoria Harbour Sunday.
“It was so heartbreaking to watch her stuck for so long,” Susan Molenda said, who offered profound thanks to the crew for their efforts.
“True rescue professionals - had her out in minutes.”
Local resident Simon Bartolo, who took the image below, said the deer had become trapped after venturing far from shore just off Osborne Street. He said the deer seemed to be fine after the rescue with firefighters warming it up in their truck before releasing it back into the wild.
Tay Fire Chief Shawn Aymer said that as a rule, the department doesn't respond to wildlife calls due to the danger of injury to first-responders.
"The only reason we responded to this particular incident was that two bystanders ventured out on the ice in an attempt to rescue the deer," Aymer said. "This combined with nightfall approaching I decided to rescue the deer in order to limit the possibility of any bystander going though."
Stephanie Wilson, who lives nearby at the bottom of Park Street and Robin's Point Road, said that "even in the dead of winter" this particular section of the bay doesn't completely freeze.
“It’s not safe for animals and it’s not safe for people,” Wilson said.
Fellow Victoria Harbour resident Kathy Tickell said it’s fortunate the skies were clear on this particular day.
“Thank goodness this didn't happen a bit later when it was darker, no one would have seen him or her,” Tickell said. “Thank you Tay fire for the rescuing of this poor animal.”
Tay Fire Chief Shawn Aymer wasn't available for comment by press time.
