Skaters risk lives on frozen Beaulieu pond (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Skaters risk lives on frozen Beaulieu pond
8:25am Monday 12th January 2009 in
STUPIDITY that beggars belief.
That’s how experts described the scenes at a New Forest pond as skaters risked their lives yesterday – just hours after a dog plunged into the icy waters below and died.
Both adults and children took to the frozen surface of Hatchet Pond in Beaulieu.
Earlier, a family had watched on as crews mounted a rescue operation to try and save their seven-year-old dog, who had fallen through the ice during a morning walk.
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The desperate father made attempts to save the terrier dog by walking onto the frozen pond himself but had to turn back after fears for his own safety.
Firefighters from Beaulieu arrived on the scene just after 8.30am and were able to pluck the small dog from the icy waters.
But despite more than 15 minutes of administering CPR inside the fire truck, the RSPCA advised crews to stop their actions and the dog was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jo Blackburn, RSPCA animal collection’s officer, who was at the scene, said: “The family were obviously inconsolable and feeling hideously guilty.
“But despite what had just happened we witnessed more people heading out onto the ice to skate yesterday. Their stupidity beggars belief.
“Anyone walking their dog near a frozen lake needs to put it on a lead, to stop any risk of the dog racing onto the ice and falling in.”
Chris Norgate, from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, added that people needed to use their common sense and keep off the ice.
He said: “Although the message should be getting through to people that the only way to stay safe near frozen water is to keep off.
“Every year individuals repeatedly risk death by venturing out onto frozen lakes, canals and other areas of inland water.”
Comments(12)
john_the_idiot
says...
8:56am Mon 12 Jan 09
Seems this dog gor better treatment than that disabled bloke did, where the ambulance crew decised he was not worth it. They must have blown through the dogs nose to pump air into his lungs, good job the dog did not come round my dog bites me when I do it to him to see his little cheeks rasp.
DailyView
says...
10:49am Mon 12 Jan 09
silky
says...
11:41am Mon 12 Jan 09
twynham
says...
2:46pm Mon 12 Jan 09
People and dogs on a frozen pond!!!
loopymoo
says...
3:31pm Mon 12 Jan 09
I have been extremely careful whilst out walking my dog over the past week or so because I know how much she likes the water. I make sure she stays with me until I can see whether or not the water is frozen. Again, common sense!
ned flanders
says...
4:02pm Mon 12 Jan 09
silky wrote:I'm sure they are perfectly nice young chaps..
Looking at the pic it would have been three less chavs to worry about!
Bournehammer68
says...
4:32pm Mon 12 Jan 09
GET OUT AND HAVE SOME FUN!!!!!
DailyView
says...
5:26pm Mon 12 Jan 09
(Watch the come back on this) Hello Friends of Kings Park.
john_the_voice_has moved
says...
8:32pm Mon 12 Jan 09
DailyView wrote:****
Or they could wait until the Ice Rink is completed at Kings Park, where they can skate in safety. (Watch the come back on this) Hello Friends of Kings Park.
Fenris
says...
10:21pm Mon 12 Jan 09
People have been brought back from drowning in frozen lakes but it takes at least 30 minutes, sometimes over an hour to obtain results.
The cold has been shown to slow down the body's use of oxygen, with peripheral activities being shut down in order to sustain just the basic processes necessary for life.
The RSPCA really should start giving proper training to their employees, like other SPCAs around the world.
Adrian XX
says...
12:04am Tue 13 Jan 09
On the other hand, what is a fire crew doing helping a dog? I do not wish my taxes to be spent in this way.
peach
says...
12:41am Tue 13 Jan 09
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DANGEROUS: Playing on the ice at Hatchet Pond near Beaulieu
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