To think anyone who goes on to a frozen pond to rescue a dog is stupid?

[KimiLivesInStarbucks]

On tonights news two more people have dies trying to save dogs Every time we get a bit of cold weather and Ice we hear these tragic stories of people dying after falling through the ice trying to save a dog.

I like dogs as much as the next person but a dog is replaceable.

So sad for the families,

I'd do it. Having said that my dog woud not be off leash anywhere a frozen lake. Even if he had 100% recall. It's not worth the risk.

i know it is ridiculous. i have 2 dogs who i love very much but if they jumped in the river i would leave them there.
My husband regutlarly says when these stories come up he would go after the dogs. i wouldn't let him but do worry what he would do if i wasn't there.

Not stupid, no.

Dogs become one of the family for some people. THey probably try to rescue them withou thinking, as you would anything living you cared for.

I would too, even though it's stupid. Or even if I didn't walk on the ice I'd attempt some sort of rescue (brain ticking). Why don't dogs just walk back anyway talk about being awkward!

I just don't know what my reaction would be though, at seeing one of my dogs fall through ice.

Am with ShinyAndNew, my dogs have been permanently on leads in this weather, due to iced over ponds where we walk. They are so used to going to the edge for a quick drink, they would still try to do it and it is not worth the risk.

It is completley stupid not thinking is stupid.
dog went through ice and weighs a lot less than owner also has 4 legs so weight distributed more evenly. It is stupid not to think i will go through ice as well.

(disclaimer - i would be the screaming banshee at the edge of said river/pond trying to get my dog back.)

If something like that were to happen though, while standing on the edge of a pond screaming like a banshee (raundroprhyme, that would prob be me too) who could you call to help? Local vet? I was thinking about that when I first saw this.

There was a story a few years ago about a dog who fell through ice and managed to tread water for hours, I think it was police frogmen who rescued him in the end and he was very ill with hypothermia and exhaustion.

Firemen have equipment for that sort of rescue so i assume you would ring them.

though I know in my head that dog survives in 99.999% of these cases and human dies in about same proportion - I bet I'd still plunge in, and I can't even swim properly

I hope I wouldn't but think it's one of those instinctive, primal sort of acts - just the same as if you saw a child in peril

Mitchy - that's why I said I don't know how I would react.

I got stung by a jelly fish kicking it out of the way when I saw it coming toward ds. Only HE was wearing a stinger suit, and I wasn't. Dam those primal instincts!

As Shiney says, I'd do it but my dogs would never be allowed off-lead near a frozen lake.

I'm scared of water but would kill and die for my dogs - I couldn't live with myself if I knew that they were dead because I hadn't tried to save them and wouldn't want to live without them.

Mine would never be off their leads but if it were to happen I would probably do it.

I would do everything I could feasibly do to reach him. Would have to call it at the time.

So basically some people would risk leaving their children motherless/fatherless for the sake of a dog. Incredible.

YANBU. It is very stupid. Darwin was right, you know.

Incredible? Glad you think I am chippy47

Seriously, yes, I would take that risk. No question.

Exactly, dogs no matter how loved they are can be replaced, people can not

"dogs can be replaced" - ouch! Kinda heartless ....

They should be kept on a lead though.

Yes MitcyInge - I'm sure I read once that most dogs who fall in end up surviving, while the owners who have attempted to rescue them don't. I suppose people aren't thinking rationally, are in shock / acting out of instinct. Very sad when you hear of it.

Incredible in the true sense of the word. Sorry Valhall I'm not in your camp on this one. But I assume you knew that already.

I'm with the Koreans on dogs, generally. And if they fall into icy water there's no need to put them in the fridge!

Vallhala - you put your dogs in front of your children?

Not a chance, anyone silly enough to put their lives at risk for a dog deserves whatever happens next. A person? Yup but not a dog.

Once again, doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that if the dog has fallen through you are going in as well.

Chippy I don't think I'd be physically capable of standing by watching my dog struggle. I just wouldn't be able to. Of course ideally I phone the correct services to help and await their arrival, but in reality I believe instinct would take over and I'd dive in to try and save him.

But like I said, my dog will never be unleashed near any frozen water. Nor will my dc, as for my cat, I have no idea what he gets upto on night.

Trouble is, how would you then feel if you jumped in after your dog, and then someone jumps in after you when you get into trouble? Not saying it's right or wrong, but don't you have to consider that? Because while I'd like to think I'd resist the urge to jump in after my dog, I certainly wouldn't leave another human drowning.

You would risk your life saving your dog? What about leaving your children?