A Paisley mum received the “fright of her life” whereas out on a canine walk within the Kilmacolm Knapps after her beloved border collie ran onto the frozen loch earlier than falling by way of the iced water.
Rachael Gilmour took her 4 dogs to the Knapps in Kilmacolm which is a well-liked spot for fellow canine walkers. However, her standard exercise was her worst nightmare after border collie, Rogue, ran onto the frozen loch.
On January 9, the mum-of-one made her means across the Knapps along with her 4 border collies, when she received to the again finish of the trail she noticed two swans down on the water which is when 7-year-old Rogue sprinted off and chased the birds – ending up on the frozen loch.
READ MORE: More freezing fog weather for Glasgow on Friday as Met Office predicts snow ahead
READ MORE: Woman found dead in Greenock home treated as murder as husband’s death labelled ‘non-suspicious’
Speaking to Glasgow Live, Rachael stated: “As we received spherical to the opposite facet there was a great deal of birds and two swans, two of my dogs went down in the direction of the water however did not go in and I believe which will have spooked the birds as all of them flapped.
“And then earlier than I knew it Rogue was chasing them – she has by no means chased a fowl in her life.
“She ran onto the ice and I used to be panicked, calling her again, however as she turned to return again to me it simply broke and he or she went straight in.”
When Rogue fell by way of she created a gap within the ice, that means to ensure that Rachael to get to her she needed to break the ice utilizing her physique as she swam out. Without considering she did simply that – happily a pair had been walking by and kindly supplied to assist, taking her belongings and watching the opposite dogs as she fought her means by way of.
Rachael’s legs are “black and blue” after preventing her means by way of the ice – she was capable of walk by way of with the water at her shoulders. Describing the second, she stated it “felt like endlessly, however she should have been within the water for less than actually 5 minutes”.
Thankfully Rogue didn’t want veterinary remedy and regardless of the scare, Rachael is grateful the result “wasn’t rather a lot worse”.
She is now warning different canine walkers of the hazards of frozen water, she stated: “Be conscious, you by no means know the second. I do know my dogs rather well however it simply takes a break up second for one thing like that to occur. Definitely preserve dogs on a leash round iced water”.
This week Water Safety Scotland are urging members of the general public to watch out round frozen waters as we’re within the peak of wintery climate. When approached for recommendation, Carlene McAvoy, from Water Safety Scotland, stated: “Sadly, nearly all of ice-related deaths contain kids or canine walkers, so it’s essential to all the time supervise kids and preserve dogs on leads if you end up close to water. Make certain you play fetch or different ball video games in protected areas – away from the ice”.
Join Glasgow Live’s Whatsapp Community here and get the latest information despatched straight to your messages.
