Dogs die after being swept away in burn
West Lothian Council is being urged to install a fence and warning signs around fields popular with dog walkers after two beloved pets died.
Molly and Princess got swept away when they jumped into a burn at Renton Drive in Bathgate on Thursday last week.
Both were pulled underwater as the stream went underneath a ridge.
The dog-walker quickly called emergency services but Molly died at the scene and Princess passed away later.
Owners of both dogs have rallied round the devastated professional dog- walker, saying she is not to blame for the tragic accident.
Despite the efforts of the dog- walker, vets and emergency services, Molly and Princess could not be saved
There are now calls for West Lothian Council to install signage and a fence around the fields behind Renton Drive at Wester Inch to warn people of the danger.
The Pooch and Friends dog- walking company posted about the incident on Facebook which happened last week when heavy rain was battering the country.
“While walking the dogs in a very popular walking destination for many dog owners in Bathgate area, the fields behind Renton Drive, two of our water-loving dogs, Molly and Princess, went into the burn.
“Both of them got sucked in under the wee ridge going above it. Despite an immediate reaction of the dog- walker and call for emergency services, Molly could not be saved. I am numb writing those words, as this tragedy has not fully sank in yet.”
The company’s owner said she was keen to make sure people were aware of the dangers.
She added: “I believe it is important to make everyone aware of the dangers to prevent any similar tragedies happening in the future.
“We will also run additional risk assessments on our walking locations to ensure we have not missed anything.
“I also want to thank from the bottom of my heart the services and the Riverside Vets who have done all their could to help.
“And thanks to the four Angels: Lorraine and Sarah, strangers until today, who took my drenched toddler in from the scene and cared for her for quite a few hours, and the two ladies, who were walking their dogs there, who stopped to help, and to carry Princess to the vehicle so she could be transported to the vets immediately.
“A huge respect to our dog- walker who, despite the shock, did everything she could including performing CPR on Princess.”
Molly’s owner said: “This is extremely difficult to put into words how devastated we are at losing our baby girl.
“I just want to thank everyone for the very heartwarming messages in this very difficult time. Our house is empty and we are numb with grief.
“I want to say thank you to the dog-walker at the scene. We certainly do not blame them in anyway for what was a tragic accident.”
A West Lothian Council spokesman said: “We are aware of a tragic incident involving two dogs in Bathgate recently.
“We are current l y looking into this to see if any appropriate action can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.”