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Media Statement

Issued:13 December 2011

At:09:30

For immediate release

Icy and Frozen Conditions

The following short guidance is intended to give a general and consistent message to the public when the authority area has experienced severe cold weather. The focus for this advice is dog owners and the dangers presented by water courses and other open water areas, e.g. ponds, lakes, etc, in particular when they have frozen over.

Every year the UK experiences fatalities due to owners of dogs entering areas of water to try and retrieve their animals, these areas are particularly dangerous in freezing and icy conditions.

It is understandable that areas of water are a natural recreational attraction to the public but the following simple guidance should help to keep you safe when using them;

1. If possible find other areas to walk your animals
Public access rivers, lakes, canals, etc, are a great draw in wintery conditions but they can also be dangerous so if possible walk your animals elsewhere and eliminate any risk to them and yourself.

2. Keep animals on leads at all times when you are near the water
Your dog may normally be very well trained and well behaved but you never know what may distract them and make them run on to the ice, to them it’s just another piece of land, especially if there are ducks to chase!

3. Do not enter the water if your dog does
In general when dogs enter the water they will find their own way out; resist the temptation to jump in yourself.

4. If your dog does enter the water and it appears that they can't get out on their own, call 999 straight away and ask for assistance
The Fire and Rescue Service are specially trained and equipped to deal with these incidents safely.

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