In York, woman rescues her dog from frozen lake

Loretta Spyers-Ashby plunged into Rawcliffe Lake to rescue her miniature Schnauzer Riber, who fell through the ice after running on to the frozen surface.

She said she would not recommend her actions to others but said she could not stand by and watch her dog die. The dog lover said Riber fell through the ice after chasing ducks.

She told The Press: "I turned round and saw her running across the ice and the next thing I knew the ice broke and she went into the water.

"I decided to take the plunge because Riber had been in the water for about 15 minutes and was making a noise I had never heard and I thought if I don't go in I'm going to watch her die."

The 40-year-old said she used a buoyancy aid and was helped by two nearby workmen who held a rope while she swam 10 metres to save her pet.

"They tried to persuade me not to go in, but there was no way I was going to let her die," she told the paper.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "It is important to be aware of the dangers posed by water and frozen lakes and ponds during the current adverse weather conditions.

"We would advise people to avoid treading on iced-over bodies of water at all costs. If there is an emergency, dial 999 and wait for assistance.

"Even if ice looks thick, please don't take any unnecessary risks and don't let dogs or children play on frozen ponds, even if they appear safe.

"People should also take extreme care when walking next to rivers, lakes or ponds, as the icy conditions can potentially cause you to slip into the water, which can be very hard to get out of when the banks are icy."