A Dundee firefighter says a dramatic rescue from a reservoir at the weekend highlights the dangers of walking on ice.
Bruce Henderson, watch manager with Tayside Fire and Rescue, has urged people not to walk on icy stretches of water after a dog was rescued from Clatto Reservoir on Sunday.
The pet is understood to have ventured on to the ice as it was being walked by its owner. It was in the water for 20 minutes before being plucked to safety.
Mr Henderson has urged those walking near frozen ponds, reservoirs and rivers not to venture on to the ice and to prevent animals from doing likewise.
He said: ”Stay clear of ice and keep all animals on a lead that would be our message. The ice was quite thick but when the officers got to where the dog fell in it just gave way.
”That’s the danger with ice you can never be sure of how thick it really is.”
Rescue teams put foil blankets around the animal before a senior officer took it away to seek medical attention.
Despite the freezing temperatures, though, the dog believed to be a boxer was able to walk into a vet’s.
Mr Henderson said such operations are extremely testing for rescue crews.
He said: ”The dog was about 25 metres away from the shore. It was also on the far side of the reservoir and we had limited information when we arrived.
”The rescue team had also been mobilised and they were able to use a sled to reach the animal. They were due to be training in Dunkeld but fortunately the call came in before they had left.”