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Firefighters rescue dog
stranded on island in Bebington pond
A rescue dog adopted from Cyprus was
brought to safety by firefighters after she became stranded on an island in a
pond, in Bebington, Wirral. Lucy, a 2 year old mixed breed spaniel, ran in to
difficulty while out on a walk with owner Helen Lambert in an area of parkland,
on Stanton Road, in Bebington, on Sunday, 25 September 2016. After running to
the water's edge for a drink Lucy, who was adopted from
Jodie's Cyprus Dogs Rehoming Sanctuary, in
January and flown to the UK via Paris, fell in and swam to an island of reeds in
the middle of the pond for safety.
Despite Helen's pleas to return, Lucy could not be coaxed back across the water
and, after 2 hours of Lucy being stranded, Helen eventually called Merseyside
Fire and Rescue Service to help.
1 Fire Engine arrived at the parkland, at 4.30pm. Firefighters
wearing water suits then entered the pond and encouraged Lucy in to the water,
where she was able to swim back to dry land.
She was reunited with owner Helen and escaped very tired, but thankfully
uninjured, from her ordeal.
Helen, who lives in Eastham, said:- "Lucy is a big bundle of cuddles and
fun and she likes getting up to mischief wherever she can. I took her for a walk
and she went over to get a drink from the pond but then accidentally toppled in.
She panicked and swam to the reed island in the centre but we couldn't entice
her back. We tried everything and passers by even stopped to help. Eventually,
she was so exhausted that we called the fire service. We are so grateful to the
firefighters who came along to help. They coaxed her in to the water and
encouraged her to swim across to me. Luckily she wasn't injured by her adventure
and we are very grateful to have her home."
Watch Manager Des McDonald, who attended the rescue, said:- "Lucy had been
stranded for 2 hours when we arrived and she was very scared. We went in to the
pond wearing water suits and encouraged her in, and then she swam to safety on
her own. Thankfully she was uninjured and was safely reunited with her owner. We
would always advise dog owners to keep their dogs on leads near water and never
let them stray on to frozen lakes or ponds. Never enter the water to try and
save your dog as you could end up in danger yourself. Remember that wet
riverbanks, steep edges or jagged rocks can make it hard for a dog to scramble
out and they are a slip risk for owners too. Even dogs that like swimming can
usually only swim for short bursts so keep an eye on your dog and don't let it
enter the water if it's older or tired. If your dog does enter the water and
struggles it may have inhaled water and should see a vet immediately. Dogs can
drown after the event if water has entered their lungs."
If your dog has struggled in the water and has managed to make it out it is
worth getting them checked by a vet. Just as with humans, if water has entered
the lungs drowning can occur at a later stage.
For more advice about walking your dog safely around water via this
link.
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