Man Drowns While Saving His Dog in Milwaukee River, Pet Still Missing

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

1 3 minutes read

INJURIES. THIENSVILLE POLICE SAY ALEX MELNIKOV, 52, DROWNED IN THE MILWAUKEE RIVER LAST WEEK WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS DOG, WHICH WAS SWEEPED DOWNWARDS. 12 NEWS ZOE HENRY REPORTS FROM OZAKI COUNTY. THE POLICE IS STILL LOOKING FOR THE DOG NOW. THE DOG'S NAME IS KOBE. He's a chocolate Labrador retriever. AND IF YOU LOOK BEHIND US, COMMUNITY MEMBERS TOOK THE TIME TO MOVE LIVE FLOWERS TO THE MEMORIAL OF ALEXANDER MELNIKOV. Police say Kobe ran into the water and Alexander ran after him. LAST WEDNESDAY. I spoke with a member of Alexander's family this morning who refused to go on camera, but told police that Alexander and Kobe lived their lives to the fullest. NOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS SAY THEY ARE NOT ABANDONING KOBE, RIGHT? I mean, when the story first came out, you know, I heard that a man had gone missing in that area. YOU KNOW, I WAS SHOCKED. But when the rest of the story came out, you know, he said he was looking for his dog. He was a fisherman, you know, it's just a crazy, heartbreaking story. But it was brave for this man to jump after the dog. IT'S MEAN. HE HAD A SWEET HEART AND LOVED THIS DOG. NOT EVERYONE WILL. I think it's unusual. That's great, man. That's still how I feel. KOBE IS A CHOCOLATE LABRADOR AND POLICE SAYS IF YOU FIND HIM TO CALL THIENSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Man drowns in dog saving Milwaukee River; the animal is still missing

A desperate attempt to save a dog from the Milwaukee River ended in tragedy when the owner drowned. Although her body has been found, the search for her beloved pet continues.

Witnesses at Thiensville Village Park called for help after a man was swept away by the Milwaukee River while trying to save his dog. After two days of searching, authorities found the body of 52-year-old Alexander “Alex” Melnikov, although his dog Kobe, who was also believed to have died, remains missing. Despite the efforts of several agencies, the search for Melnikov was hampered by high water levels after rain the previous days. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources used sonar and drone technology to search for Melnikov, who was believed to have been washed downstream and over the Village Park Dam. Among those who immediately joined the search was Melnikov's son, Vlad Melnikov, a Cedarburg police officer, who the News Graphic reported received a call asking if he was related to Alex Melnikov. Vlad Melnikov and his wife, Molly, rushed to the park. Vlad Melnikov, speaking to the News Graphic, said he was at peace knowing the two dated. Neither would have wanted to live without the other, he said. “Unfortunately, Alex and Kobe lost their lives accidentally but through communication with Alex’s family and friends,” Thiensville police said in a statement. “There was no denying that Alex and Kobe lived their lives as much as possible.” The family suggests a donation be made to the Ozaukee Humane Society in memory of Alex Melnikov or that those wishing to pay their respects keep an eye out for Kobe. locates Kobe, contact their local non-emergency police number.

THIENSVILLE, Wis. —

Witnesses at Thiensville Village Park called for help after a man was swept away by the Milwaukee River while trying to save his dog.

After two days of searching, authorities found the body of 52-year-old Alexander “Alex” Melnikov, although his dog, Kobe, who was also believed to have died, was still missing.

Despite the efforts of several agencies, Melnikov's search was hampered by high water levels after rain the previous days. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources used sonar and drone technology to search for Melnikov, who was reportedly swept downstream and over the Village Park Dam.

Among those who immediately joined the search was Melnikov's son, Vlad Melnikov, a Cedarburg police officer, who, according to the News Graphic, received a call asking if he was related to Alex Melnikov. Vlad Melnikov and his wife Molly rushed to the park.

Vlad Melnikov, speaking to the News Graphic, said he was at peace knowing the two dated. Neither would have wanted to live without the other, he said.

“Unfortunately, Alex and Kobe lost their lives accidentally but through communication with Alex's family and friends,” Thiensville police said in a statement. “There was no denying that Alex and Kobe were living their lives as much as possible.”

The family suggests donations be made to the Ozaukee Humane Society in memory of Alex Melnikov or that those wishing to pay their respects keep an eye out for Kobe.

Police are asking anyone locating Kobe to contact their local non-emergency police number.

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