WALTHAM, Mass. (WHDH) -- A deer that was rescued from thin ice Friday had to be put down because it was not healthy enough to be released back into the wild.

The Massachusetts Environmental Police responded alongside state police, local police and fire crews to do everything they could to save the deer’s life.

“We weren't actually in the water we were on top of the water, I don’t know how long the deer had been in the water but it was pretty weak,” said Mark Vogel, Animal Rescue League of Boston.

The deer was so weak rescuers believed it had been there overnight. Another deer was found already dead on the ice.

“It looked like a younger one for sure so it could have been mother and baby,” said Brian O’Connor, Animal Rescue League of Boston.

The bigger deer was huddled on a thick piece of ice, stranded and scared -- and a scared animal is a dangerous one.

“They are dangerous. They can be dangerous in the water. In this case she was kinda weak so it worked out pretty good. Even if she hit you, she didn't hit that hard so that worked out,” said Vogel.

Still they were 350 feet from shore and had to secure her and get her back to land.

Rescuers tied a rope around her neck and then crawled out and tied up her legs. Once she was secure, she was loaded onto the sled.

Then the rest of the crew pulled them closer to shore. They walked her around and loaded her into an animal crate. It took 12 men to get her in and on her way to the veterinary hospital.

The rescue itself took more than an hour and is a clear reminder to everyone to stay off the ice.

The deer’s back legs did not respond to any kind of stimulation, so the Tufts Wildlife Clinic decided the most humane solution was to euthanize the deer.