What started as a routine stroll with Mikey the boxer yesterday afternoon turned into a dangerous plunge into the icy Charles River not only for the dog and its owner, but also for three would-be rescuers.

Thomas Mulkeen, 59, of Newton, was listed in fair condition at Massachusetts General Hospital last night after a chaotic rescue that also sent a firefighter to a hospital with chest pains.

It started with Mulkeen treating Mikey to a walk after a visit to the vet. But the 2-year-old boxer bounded out onto the ice, which gave way beneath him.

Mulkeen followed the dog, wading into the frigid waters to save him. But the bottom of the river dropped unexpectedly under Mulkeen's feet, and he couldn't hoist himself back up on shore, his wife said later.

Employees in an office at a nearby industrial park saw Mulkeen floundering in the water and they telephoned police at about 4:45 p.m., authorities said.

The dog was able to climb back up on the ice but stayed beside his master, howling. As Mulkeen's body began to go numb, passersby heard the howling and also called police.

Needham firefighters sent an emergency call for help to Newton, which sent two engine companies and another vehicle with a boat in tow. But while those firefighters were en route, they were radioed that the person had been rescued, so only one engine continued to the scene.

When police arrived, they found Mulkeen clinging to a chunk of ice with his dog.

Two officers gingerly walked onto the ice to help Mulkeen stay afloat until firefighters got there to pull them out. But just as one firefighter arrived in a survival suit, the ice cracked, spilling the rescuers into the river.

More firefighters arrived and frantically tossed rescue lines to Mulkeen, his dog, the two police officers, and the firefighter.

Firefighter Lieutenant Charles Lambert suffered chest pains and was taken to Deaconess Glover Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition last night.

Mulkeen, meanwhile, was airlifted to Mass. General.

Mulkeen's wife, who identified herself only as Mrs. Mulkeen, said in a telephone interview last night that police called her after finding the number on Mikey's tag.

Mrs. Mulkeen said she picked up Mikey. ''He's got some scratches, and he's kind of nervous tonight because he's looking for my husband,'' she said. ''They were both lucky.''

Newton Assistant Fire Chief Vincent Sturniolo said it's not rare for owners to endanger themselves while attempting to rescue their pets. ''People with dogs, people with animals, are very loyal,'' he said.

In fact, Sturniolo related that one retired firefighter said after the rescue yesterday that if his wife and dog were both in the water, ''my wife would be in trouble.''

This story ran on page B4 of the Boston Globe on 2/21/2001.
© Copyright 2001 Globe Newspaper Company.