Terrified Scots mum watches beloved canine plunge via frozen loch whereas on walk

A terrified Scots mum has advised how she watched her beloved dog plunge via a frozen loch whereas out on a walk. Rachael Gilmour, from Paisley, took her 4 dogs to the Knapps in Kilmacolm – which is a well-liked spot for canine walkers – on Tuesday.

As the mum-of-one made her means across the Knapps, she noticed two swans down on the water. Border collie Rogue then sprinted off and chased the birds – and earlier than Rachael knew it the seven-year-old pooch was standing on the frozen loch.

Speaking to Glasgow Live, Rachael defined: “As we acquired spherical to the opposite aspect 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 feel which will have spooked the birds as all of them flapped.

“Then earlier than I knew it Rogue was chasing them – she has by no means chased a hen in her life. She ran onto the ice and I used to be panicked, calling her again, however as she turned to come back again to me it simply broke and he or she went straight in.”

When Rogue fell via she created a gap within the ice – and with out considering twice Rachael rapidly jumped into the loch. A pair who had been walking by kindly supplied to assist, taking her belongings and watching the opposite dogs as she fought her means via the ice.

Rachael says her legs have been “black and blue” after she waded via the loch with the icy water at her shoulders. Describing the second, she mentioned it “felt like endlessly, however she should have been within the water for simply minutes” earlier than she was capable of seize Rogue.

Thankfully the canine didn’t want veterinary therapy and regardless of the scare, Rachael is grateful the result “wasn’t loads worse”. She is now warning different canine walkers of the risks of frozen water.

Rachael mentioned: “Be conscious, you by no means know the second. I do know my dogs very well however it simply takes a break up second for one thing like that to occur. Definitely hold 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, mentioned: “Sadly, nearly all of ice-related deaths contain kids or canine walkers, so it’s essential to at all times supervise kids and hold dogs on leads when you find yourself close to water. Make certain you play fetch or different ball video games in secure areas – away from the ice”.

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