Safety advice after dog and owner rescued from frozen pond in Wigan

Firefighters were called to a frozen pond on Pepper Lane, in Standish, at 11am on Tuesday when the man followed his Alaskan Malamute dog onto the ice.

Gavin Hunter, a firefighter based at Wigan fire station, said: "We arrived and assisted in getting the man and the dog out of the water.

"The dog was taken to a vet to be checked over and the man was checked by paramedics at the scene."

They both appeared to be okay, but firefighters had more work to do to free an ambulance which got bogged down while attending the incident.

Dog owners have been reminded about the dangers of following their pets onto ice.

Mr Hunter said: "I would advise people not to walk on frozen ponds or lakes after pets and just phone us, as we will rescue them. I know it's hard, but it's the safest thing to do."

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