Lancashire fire crews rescue dogs from frozen lakes

Fire crews were called to Yarrow Valley Country Park, off Birkacre Road in Chorley, after a dog ran into the middle of a frozen lake yesterday afternoon (Sunday, January 3).

Fearing for his dog's life on the thin sheet of ice, his owner was left with no option but to call 999 and three fire engines from Chorley, Preston and Penwortham rushed to their rescue.

The fire service has shared a picture showing two of its firefighters using an inflatable sled to rescue the dog from the middle of the frozen lake.

The shivering dog was pulled out of the icy water and brought safely to shore, much to the relief of his panic-stricken owner.

The hour-long rescue mission led Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to issue a warning to dog owners, urging them to keep their pets on leads around frozen bodies of water.

But less than an hour later, fire crews were called out to rescue another dog 13 miles away in Darwen.

The dog, called Ray, had fallen through a sheet of ice and had become trapped in the freezing water at Hoddlesden Reservoir. Fire crews donned water suits and used the inflatable sled to reach Ray and he was brought safely back to dry land.

Lancashire firefighters Ian Armistead, tweeted: "Three fire engines from Chorley,@PenworthamFire and@Preston_Fire were called to rescue a dog from ice in the middle of a lake on Birkacre Road, Chorley.

"If you are walking your dogs, please take care around frozen water -

"It's been a busy afternoon for@LancashireFRS water rescue crews. 2 dog rescues within an hour from ice..plus a mob phone, someone too close & slipped! Very dangerous conditions at Yarrow Valley Country Park, numerous falls on the ice and tears."

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