Fire Service Issues Warning After Dog Owner Rescued From River

A fire department has issued a caution regarding individuals entering bodies of water to save animals, following an incident where a dog owner required extraction from a river. On Tuesday afternoon, emergency responders were dispatched to the River Wensum, located near Barrack Street in Norwich, after a woman encountered difficulties while trying to save her dog. The Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service stated that although they successfully rescued the woman, entering the water “puts your own life at risk”. The dog was declared deceased, and the woman was transported to a hospital for medical attention. A spokesperson for the fire service conveyed to the BBC: “We always ask people to call for help if life is at risk, and not to enter the water after other people or animals.” The spokesperson further stated: “We appreciate how much people love their animals as part of the family, but going in after them puts their own life in danger.” They also remarked: “In this instance, we were able to rescue the dog owner and we wish her a speedy recovery.” The spokesperson concluded: “Our thoughts are with her on the loss of her dog.” The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) recommends that dogs be kept on leads when near cliff edges or rapidly flowing rivers. An ambulance crew was also summoned to the location; however, a spokesperson confirmed that both the woman and the dog had been removed from the water prior to their arrival. Information regarding Norfolk news is available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. This content is copyrighted by the BBC in 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites and provides information regarding its policy on external linking.