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,

onagar, the recall of my two dogs is extremely good, but even so they'd be on a leash anywhere remotely near a danger such as a frozen lake, deep water, railway line etc. This thread certainly is a good argument for keeping a dog leashed in a potentially dangerous environment.

I took the family dog out when I was a teenager and she ran straight onto a frozen pond I hadn't realised they didn't know, it was a pond she was used to and would never go in as water. she went through about 2 metres from the edge and I was just shouting her and luckily she managed to get back out.
with my own dog now I don't even let her see frozen ponds.

The stupidity unfortunately came in letting the dog onto a frozen pond in the first place.

You need to keep your dog under control in any potentially dangerous situation - by water(frozen or otherwise), roads, farms.

I'm not very speciesist, but I know my DD can survive the death of a dog and that a replacement heals the pain. Me or DH - I don't think so.

My two are almost always on leads anyway. My older dog has pretty good recall, but the younger one is so flighty and easily distracted (and distracts the older one) that I cannot trust her off lead at all, despite over a year of consistent recall training. I have been called cruel many a time by other dog walkers, but I would rather be safe than have her run off on a country lane and hurt herself or cause a car accident.

We have loads of pheasant farms round here though, so there are not many places you could let dogs who have such strong hunting instincts like mine off a lead anyway, they would be off like a shot.

I would in no way jump after a dog to save it. Just so you could hoik the dog out (if you are lucky) and it can trip off without a backward glance, whislt you perish.

Your duty is to your family, not to a dog. I think it is a bit warped to admit that you would risk death for a dog and possible leave your children motherless.

Dog owners really should all pre-think the situation so that (a) it doesnt happen in the first place and (b) if it did, they are armed with logic over instinct.

The best chance for the dog is surely to stay firmly on shore, calling it to you and if you can, getting appropriate help.

I'm sure they loved their dogs, but unfortunately it didn't do their dogs any good.

Its harsh, but they behaved stupidly and have paid an awful price.

they are stupid, they are dead cos they jumped in a frozen lake after their dog.

i feel for their families and of course empathise with their reasons for jumping in a lake but it is only a dog. tehir dead family member is stupid.

Harsh but accurate.

Just talked this through with dh and he would definately go after the dog. Our first baby is due soon and I'm just not sure what I would do. Cannot imagine in a million years being able to stand by and watch our beloved dog drown and doubt fire brigade etc would arrive in time so I may well act on instinct and try and wade in after the dog. This is one of those horrible 'would you save your dh/dp or your dc?' type questions and I don't think you can judge anyone's decision unless you've faced the same yourself.

I remember last year a couple who BOTH drowned trying to save their dog(s) in a river, the dog(s) died anyway and they left their baby in a pram on the side of the river while attempting the rescue, now orphaned. Just tragic, but I can see how it happened.

It is NOT one of these "would you save your dh/dp or your dc?" type questions you MENTALIST.

It is a "would you risk leaving your children one parent short ATTEMPTING to save a mobile pie-filling that will probably get own of it's own accord?" type question.

own = out

I can see how it happened too.

I'd like to think I'd have the sense not to go in after my dog, but as I have no kids (yet!) she is so incredibly important to DH and I that gawd knows what I'd actually do. I can't imagine how awful I'd feel if I made no effort at all and she drowned - what a reward for years of unconditional love, affection and loyalty...your pack leader waving to you from the shore as you panic your doggy way to an untimely death.

Blows nose

I owe my dogs more than to stand by and watch them die. If that makes me a mentalist, so be it.

'A mobile pie filling'?

Note to self if ever invited to Bruxeur's home for dinner be sure to decline.

I don't eat dog, LTBR, but a lot of people do. And from some of the responses, it would benefit some loving mummies and daddies owners to be reminded that they are talking about animals, not people.

Oh, I know my dog is an animal, Bruxeur, but she's also a member of my family.

Tell me - with puppy pie, do you use shortcrust pastry or traditional hot-water crust?

Yes, it's not nice to watch your dog die, but the question is whether you would also like to see yourself die, given the odds of any rescue attempt being successful. As others said before, any ice that breaks under the weight of a dog on four legs won't carry your weight on two legs for long.

Ooh yes bruxeur, good idea, you have solved my sainsburys-didn't-come-cos-of-the-snow problem. I have both shortcrust and puff in the freezer, so puppy pie it is for tomorrow's tea.

Now tell me, is there more than one way to skin a dog, or is that just cats?

I would totally go in after my cat - I just don't think you could stand and watch

I've already been involved with an under-ice fatality once this winter, and would you believe his widow didn't talk about the dog AT ALL?

Ok, so there wasn't one involved in his case, but from the way she was acting I don't think she'd had spared a thought for one, the selfish cow .

Bruxeur I don't entirely agree with you but PMSL

Trying to recall a 'dog in the water' story with a happy ending -can't do it. Nobody in favour seems to be aware of how dangerous it is.
I also recall a recent story about a couple who both went in the river after their dog leaving their 6 month old on the river bank in a pushchair. Both died. That is completely fucked up.

Well to be fair it's not exactly national news if the end result is hot baths and hugs all round.