A woman and two dogs were rescued from Silverwood Nature Reserve on Monday after nearby police heard calls for help
While on patrol around Silverwood Nature Reserve, officers from South Yorkshire Police Off Road Bike Intervention Team heard shouts for help after a woman had entered the lake to rescue her dog.
The dog, which was being walked off its lead at the time began to chase after a swan, and as the swan flew off, it broke the ice and the dog followed it into the lake.
Motorbike Cop, PC Jamie Walker entered the lake and grabbed the dog which was frantically treading water, before helping the woman who was knee-deep in the lake holding a second dog.
Operational Support Unit Chief Inspector Lee Carlson said: “We share a multitude of advice as the cold weather approaches, but it’s important that people don’t think ‘that won’t happen to me’.
“With the increase in freezing conditions even your routine that you have done every day may need to change, and that may be something as simple as walking your dog on the lead, not off.
“This incident is a reminder of how easy it can be to get into difficulty and distress in open water.
“Please be wary of the dangers, be vigilant and stay safe.”
He said: “This incident had a good outcome, everyone was safe, albeit some soggy footwear. However it could have been very different as we have seen from the absolutely devastating tragedy in Solihull this week.
“Please know where your children are playing, their usual safe places may not be safe now winter has arrived, and be aware on your regular, local walks with your dogs – as the seasons change, so do the risks.”
