Found Deceased WI - Kevin Doyle, 66, & 2 dogs (also found deceased), Rock County, 17 Mar 2021

[K9Enzo]

TY for the link, @K9Enzo! I am so glad the article authors included this information. I feel the need to point out this snipped and BBM section of the article b/c of some darker insinuations I've read elsewhere.

I think it's important to remember that most dogs are very loyal to their owners and will fight to their death to protect/save their best friend(s) if the animals detect danger. Additionally, Labs are innate "hunters" and will usually not stop until their intended "hunt" is successful. IMO, the dogs died "hunting" for Kevin in the lake after having realized he had an accident and needed rescuing. His dogs, as loyal as they most likely were to him, did what dogs (esp. Labs) do, jumped into the water in an effort to save their master's life. As a result they lost their lives trying. They are heroes and may they rest in eternal peace. (Insert beautiful, sparkly @PommyMommy hearts & puppy paws).



Searchers found the bodies of the Labrador retrievers on the northwest side of Bowers Lake, where they apparently had fallen in and drowned, Knudson said.

Shortly before 4 p.m., a deputy found what is believe to be Doyle’s cane in the water along the shore in the same area. Doyle reportedly used a prosthetic leg.

Dogs are loyal, that's for sure.

I do wonder if they were enjoying a off leash walk and one ventured onto the ice (fell through). The owner then going onto the ice himself, the other dog following, then the ice breaks for them as well. IMO

ETA: I also wonder if the dog had leashes on when found.

 

[K9Enzo]

There are several stories of dogs being rescued from frozen lakes, ponds, even swimming pools or people dying trying to save them. IMO

My dad several years ago got his neighbors dog off of their frozen pond. They were in the house and didn't see it. He was outside shoveling.

Here's a recent article, non related to this story.

Officers Rescue Dog Clinging to Sheet of Ice in Frozen Pond

 

[hot cawfeee]

Oh wow...........am sorry to read this.......prayers....am guessing Kevin maybe went to help one dog and the other followed to help.......prayers to his family.......small solace but it seems Kevin and his fur-buddies went together

 

[Limecat]

It’s too too sad. Hurts my heart. Got bless them all.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

Dogs are loyal, that's for sure.

I do wonder if they were enjoying a off leash walk and one ventured onto the ice (fell through). The owner then going onto the ice himself, the other dog following, then the ice breaks for them as well. IMO

ETA: I also wonder if the dog had leashes on when found.

That's my guess, unless there was a common path over the ice. Growing up on a northern lake, I lost a friend while crossing the iced lake as a shortcut to getting home. We actually walked a mile to the bus stop. People and animals occasionally needed rescue. So sad. I always wished I could fence around the lake in winter save for a small area close to shore for ice skating. We also loved to skate on cranberry bogs (while the crops were shallow, the ditches creating a block game board around them were rather deep).

 

[K9Enzo]

A good read from a SAR team on frozen surfaces. IMO

https://energeticcity.ca/2021/03/18...0UzHyKlty4l2ZrTTXrCw2X4GzWFw8gU3kOjcv6YmyqQ0g

 

[YaYa_521]

May you and your pals rest in peace, Kevin.

Body recovered from Rock Co. lake; authorities say search for missing hiker 'considered closed'
MILTON, Wis. — Authorities have ended their search for a missing Rock County hiker after they discovered a body in a lake Friday morning.

Snip

Authorities said the medical examiner will officially identify the body, but the search for Doyle is now “considered closed.”

 

[K9Enzo]

I feel soooo bad for Mr. Doyle and his dogs. Accidents like this can happen so fast. It sounds like he wanted to enjoy a walk with his dogs, everyone gets fresh air and exercise. These were probably outstanding companion dogs. To have this happen is tragic. IMO

 

[legalmomma]

Such a sad, sad ending. You know the labs were trying to save him. Labs don’t just drown. Bless them all.

 

[Wild Rose]

RIP. His dogs loved him.

 

[PommyMommy]

TY for the link, @K9Enzo! I am so glad the article authors included this information. I feel the need to point out this snipped and BBM section of the article b/c of some darker insinuations I've read elsewhere.

I think it's important to remember that most dogs are very loyal to their owners and will fight to their death to protect/save their best friend(s) if the animals detect danger. Additionally, Labs are innate "hunters" and will usually not stop until their intended "hunt" is successful. IMO, the dogs died "hunting" for Kevin in the lake after having realized he had an accident and needed rescuing. His dogs, as loyal as they most likely were to him, did what dogs (esp. Labs) do, jumped into the water in an effort to save their master's life. As a result they lost their lives trying. They are heroes and may they rest in eternal peace. (Insert beautiful, sparkly @PommyMommy hearts & puppy paws).



Searchers found the bodies of the Labrador retrievers on the northwest side of Bowers Lake, where they apparently had fallen in and drowned, Knudson said.

Shortly before 4 p.m., a deputy found what is believe to be Doyle’s cane in the water along the shore in the same area. Doyle reportedly used a prosthetic leg.

What a tragic tale of events.

Rest peacefully Kevin, and furry companions.

Love is a four-legged word.

 

[mlhenn]

Body recovered from Rock Co. lake; authorities say search for missing hiker 'considered closed'

Officials with the Rock County Sheriff’s Office said they used a drone to search the park for Doyle. Just after 11 a.m. Friday, the drone team spotted “an anomaly” in Bowers Lake. Rescue divers pulled a body was from the water by rescue divers roughly 45 minutes later.

Authorities said the medical examiner will officially identify the body, but the search for Doyle is now “considered closed.”

 

[mlhenn]

Update: Body found in Bowers Lake along with dogs; missing man search done

Authorities confirmed on Friday, March 19, that they found a body in Bowers Lake, where they were conducting a missing person search for 66-year-old Kevin Doyle. They confirmed the search is done.

The Rock County Sheriff's Office declined to give the identity of the man, saying the medical examiner's office would release that information.

 

[Luckyzmom]

Rest in Peace Kevin and pups. Prayers for comfort and Peace for family and friends. They truly loved each other just breaks your heart doesn't it. MOO.

 

[JerseyGirl]

RIP Kevin, Ollie and Frank. My heart is broken

Sending prayers to family and friends.

 

[hot cawfeee]

so much love and prayers to Kevin and his family ......this is just a heartacher............and in my community we have a fence around our pond to prevent people from walking on it....residents hate it but this is why we keep it.......oh fellow sleuthies I am truly in tears....so sad these lives are lost but how beautiful Kevin and his buddies went together.......I hope that sounds right

 

[mlhenn]

Missing Milton man's body recovered in Bowers Lake, Rock Co. sheriff's office says

Doyle’s body was located in an area of Bowers Lake with water about 3 feet deep and about a foot of mud at the bottom, Knudson indicated.


It’s not clear what led to Doyle ending up in the water, but Knudson said there are no indications of foul play.

And while he said it’s possible the medical examiner could have findings that would yield more clues about Doyle’s death, “all indications are that it just appears to be a tragic accident.”

Doyle’s body and the dogs all were found a short distance from a public-use side trail that runs along the lake, Knudson said.


The state Department of Natural Resources considers the lake part of a marsh drainage basin that’s eight acres in size with a maximum depth of six feet.

The DNR describes the lake’s bottom as 40 percent “muck.”

Knudson said the terrain leading to the lakefront in the area is fairly solid ground, but the lake itself is in a stage of “transition” from winter to spring.

He indicated that some parts of the shore area earlier this week might have been covered by thin ice with snow on top.

Knudson said Doyle’s body and both dogs were found near a section of ice along the shore.