Topeka ? Mary and Steve Hutchinson, Topeka, are relieved to be reunited with their golden retriever, Roman, after a harrowing experience at Lake Sherwood on Tuesday morning.

Mission Township water rescue crews were called to the lake after Roman fell in past the ice shelf and was unable to get out. Lt. Jason Schone entered the water, wrapped a harness around the dog, and indicated to the crew on the bank to get the pet out of the water.

Roman snapped at Schone a couple of times when the rescuer was trying to push the dog out of the water. Schone said in a pet rescue it is common for an animal to react like that toward a stranger, because of fear.

Owner Steve Hutchinson then walked onto the ice, grabbed the dog’s collar, and pulled him onto the bank, where Mary Hutchinson grabbed a towel and started drying Roman off before thanking the crew.

The owners then took Roman to an animal hospital to be checked out.