Take care near frozen lakes - dog rescued in 2024 but another dog died today 8th January 2026 in Dulwich

[HeadNun]

5 hours ago, Spartacus said:

This thread has turned from.a genuine warning about dogs on Ice, something that is the cause of most human cold water drownings when they go to rescue their dogs, to a modern day villagers vs Franenstiens monster with the edf masses marching through the street screaming for the monstes blood !

99.99% of us weren't there so speculation and rumours are flying.

Guess I need to start a pitchfork business and make some cash whilst the mob gets angry. 

Incident over, dog safe, no-one or no animals harmed in making of this epic but good initial advice, take care on frozen water 🤔

Good idea. I think I'll join you and start equine trading - specialising in high horses. We could clean up. 

So glad your dog's OK, Mary T. You must have been terrified. Happened to mine once and it took me longer to get over the shock than my pup. 

[Ruskin]

It's quite possible (note the use of conjecture and suggestion here), the brigade may have used the incident as an excuse for a water training exercise. We'd all hope that when called to something very serious involving say, children, they'd already be very familiar with their equipment - so I wouldn't so hastily be critical of them sending four tenders for a pet.

[Froglander]

Sight hounds or sight hound crosses (lurchers) often catch and kill squirrels. I’ve seen it happen once. The park gardeners have confirmed this to me and one I spoke to said that she was happy about it as the squirrels dig up the bulbs they have planted.  There are many squirrels around the lake area. And to confirm, I’m not happy about dogs killing squirrels.  Sight hounds (and other dogs) often kill cats and small dogs as well.  I’m not happy about that either.

Edited January 27, 2024 by Froglander

[HeadNun]

Do sight hounds 'often' kills cats and small dogs? I'd like to see your stats on that. Sight hounds generally have very gentle natures. Yes, dogs sometimes kill squirrels, but that's life. Are you just as disapproving of cats because they kill mice and voles? 

My dog once packed with three other dogs and took out two of my cousin's ducks. I was mortified. Cousin just shrugged and said that's how the animal kingdom works. We can't always control animals' natural instincts and urges, try as we might. 

[Earl Aelfheah]

On 20/01/2024 at 19:42, MaryT said:

I am the owner of said dog! Thank you to those who asked after her. She's absolutely fine and none the worse for her dip, a veritable Wim Hoff of the canine world!! My partner was astonished to see all the fire engines rock up (not at his insistence!) but the team were brilliant as were the groundstaff. She had swum to the central island and much combined head-scratching could not work out how to safely retrieve her. I'll ignore all the sanctimonious, ill-informed commentary from those who weren't there and don't know what happened. Suffice to say she was not savaging any wildlife.  Do feel free to tut and finger-wag in person; we are in the park most days with our friendly and (mostly) well-behaved dog.

Mistakes happen, fair enough, but a slightly more apologetic tone (considering the disruption it caused) might not be entirely out of place. Sometimes, it's OK to hold your hands up and admit you may have messed up. Or perhaps there is more to it and circumstances were out of your control, in which case why not take the opportunity to shed a little light and correct the 'ill-informed commentary' rather than just attack those who may be concerned about what happened? Presumably the dog was off the lead, out of control, and on the island (which is meant to be a safe area for wild birds)? 

... I get a bit tired of the attitude that some dog owners have to the park and to other park users.

Anyway, I'm glad the dog was unharmed.

Edited January 31, 2024 by Earl Aelfheah

[IlonaM]

Dog perished in Dulwich park pond this morning - please take care of animals and children around frozen ponds:

https://southwarknews.co.uk/area/dulwich/dog-dies-in-icy-dulwich-park-pond-despite-firefighters-racing-to-the-rescue/

Article contains advice in case of emergency, either as victim or first responder; 

Edited 17 hours ago by IlonaM

[beansprout]

Poor dog….how bloody stupid of owners who clearly have zero recall of their dog. Not good recall, don’t  let your dog off  the lead or have it on a long line. Why did you not hop over fence and get into water to try and rescue dog? Dies in cold water. Totally disgusted but then not surprised by people …

No different from people walking their dogs on cliff paths when know might fall off…an  advised to keep on the lead.. do they pay attention….No… what is wrong with people? Don’t they have any common sense? And why wait for fire department? Not exactly strong currents like sea…

RIP woofer… no sympathy for owners whatsoever…

 

[HeadNun]

4 hours ago, beansprout said:

Poor dog….how bloody stupid of owners who clearly have zero recall of their dog. Not good recall, don’t  let your dog off  the lead or have it on a long line. Why did you not hop over fence and get into water to try and rescue dog? Dies in cold water. Totally disgusted but then not surprised by people …

No different from people walking their dogs on cliff paths when know might fall off…an  advised to keep on the lead.. do they pay attention….No… what is wrong with people? Don’t they have any common sense? And why wait for fire department? Not exactly strong currents like sea…

RIP woofer… no sympathy for owners whatsoever…

 

A truly horrible thing to post.

[IlonaM]

Once again, this was posted as a warning, reminder and the article contains advice as to what to do in similar circumstances. Please keep posts polite and non-judgmental. A family lost a much-loved pet yesterday. Please show some empathy.

Edited 4 hours ago by IlonaM
Bringing post back on course

[Angelina]

Almost a year to the day that another dog was trapped in the ice. There were strong warnings to keep dogs on leads and the dangers present.

People need to be responsible and sensible. Dogs will tend to chase things, and all the more reason to keep them safe.

Very sad, and avoidable.

[Nigello]

Why not be judgemental on this or any topic? Having your dog on a lead is the least hazardous option whatever the conditions. It’s a sad loss, of course, but this is a public forum and therefore a place for diverse opinions. 

[HeadNun]

Because none of us knows the circumstances, so we have no right to judge. And, no matter what happened and even if it was because of human error, someone has lost a beloved pet. I hope they don't see these posts. 

Edited 1 hour ago by HeadNun

[CPR Dave]

Presumably this was in the boating lake?

If so:

1. It's utterly selfish of these dog owners not to have their dogs on a short lead as required by the rules of the park.
2. Five fire engines and a were boat called out because more dog people are too ignorant to look after their animals properly and obey local rules.
3. They should pay the LFB the cost of that attempted rescue and the council should impose their maximum £1,000 fine for not using a short lead.

[HeadNun]

And should the parents of the children who had to be rescued in the article Ilona posted also be fined? Shit happens. 

[tomskip]

Whoa, the pitchforks are out in force on this one! 

I am so sorry to read about this really sad incident - sorry for the dog and of course for the dog's owner/s. It serves as a sad reminder for everyone to be really cautious around frozen lakes and ponds. 

[CPR Dave]

 

Quote

should the parents of the children who had to be rescued ... also be fined

If they've broken a law or local regulation then yes they probably should be.

[exdulwicher]

10 hours ago, beansprout said:

Why did you not hop over fence and get into water to try and rescue dog? Dies in cold water. Totally disgusted but then not surprised by people …

Official advice is NEVER to do this. It almost invariably results in a human fatality as well. 

Also you have no idea of the age / health etc of the owner. What if it was an 80yr old person using a mobility scooter, you still going to suggest that they vault the fence and dive in?

Even if it was a healthy and able person, unless you are an experienced open water swimmer, cold shock will kill most people in minutes (often less). And while that lake isn't especially deep, there could be all manner of detritus on the bottom of it, obstacles that could snag a person, puncture through a shoe etc.

Sorry but while I hate to see a dog get into trouble like that, your suggestion that the owner should "just" have leapt in to help is utterly wrong. They'd have been fishing a human body out as well as the dog.

Edit: also if you jump in after the dog and start trying to catch it, it may think it's all a big game and get excited. What you actually need to do is to stand on the bank and call it back. 

Edited 4 minutes ago by exdulwicher