Warning after dog falls through river ice

AN Angus woman who went out for “10 minutes peace and quiet” with her two dogs found herself in a five-hour dramatic rescue in subzero temperatures, after her dog fell through ice into a fast-flowing river.

Mel Sayer from Edzell has warned dog walkers to be extra-vigilant while walking their dogs near ice-covered water, after the terrifying ordeal.

She had been walking near the Shakin’ Brig with her two dogs, Yoda and Maggie, when Maggie plunged into the water.

Ms Sayer said: “I noticed the river was frozen but didn’t think anything of it. In a matter of seconds, my golden labrador, Maggie, had disappeared.

“She had walked around eight metres on to the ice and fallen through.

“She couldn’t get out and I couldn’t get close to her. I called a friend who also tried to rescue her and when he came out of the water it was so cold there were icicles on his boots.

“We called the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and they came out but they needed a search and rescue team with a boat, which was dispatched from Dundee. In the meantime, the fire crew pushed an inflated hose out to try to help Maggie, and kept her occupied by throwing sticks.

“She is 11 years old, so not a young girl, and a couple of times her head went down and I thought we’d lost her.”

Maggie quickly recovered after being slowly warmed and dried, and seems none the worse for her ordeal.

Ms Sayer said: “I’m a bit embarrassed, but incredibly grateful to the fire crews who were very kind.”