Tragedy as Family Pet Dies After Falling into Frozen Lake

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service have issued a warning following a tragic accident involving a Telford family's pet dog falling through a frozen lake.

Mrs Amanda Berry was walking with her two daughters' at Apley Wood yesterday afternoon when the dog ran off chasing ducks across the lake before falling through the ice.

The family telephoned 999 and two crews from Wellington launched a rescue operation.

Sub-officer Russ Hales said the firefighters used an inflatable rescue path from the bank to reach the dog after attempts to reach it with floating lines were unsuccessful.

Two firefighters recovered the dog from the lake, where the dog was given oxygen and blankets borrowed from Princess Royal Hospital were used to warm the animal up. The crew continued to resuscitate the dog at the scene until the RSPCA arrived.

Due to the urgency of the situation firefighters then took the dog to Wrekin View vets in Wellington where it was pronounced dead.

A spokesperson from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has warned parents to "Keep all children and pets away from frozen lakes and ponds this winter period as thin ice may break under their weight resulting in tragedy."

4th March, 2006