A Dorset emergency service has warned that more than 50 per cent of ice related drownings have involved the attempted rescue of a dog.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) are warning people to keep their beloved pets away from frozen water, as temperatures drop.

The service suggests that 'even if it appears thick from the bank, it becomes thinner very quickly.’

A spokesperson for DWFRS said: “Should a dog go onto the ice and get into difficulty, you should never attempt to carry out a rescue. Call 999 for help – over 50 per cent of ice related drownings involve the attempted rescue of a dog.”

They explained that 'dog owners should be particularly careful around frozen water and ‘keep their pet on a lead, and don’t throw sticks or balls onto the ice.’

With temperatures plummeting to below freezing, warnings have been issued.

The spokesperson added: “While frozen ponds, lakes and waterways look pretty and appear solid, there is no way of knowing how thick the ice is at any point, so you should never venture out on the surface.

“Especially in the winter, the water temperature can be cold enough to take your breath away, which can easily lead to panic and drowning.

“The coldness can make your arms and legs numb, which means you can’t control them and can’t swim.

“It can also lead to hypothermia, serious reduction in your body temperature, which can cause heart failure. This happens to even the strongest swimmers.”