Watch above: caution urged around river after dog disappears in icy waters
SASKATOON – The Saskatoon SPCA is warning dog owners to exercise caution around the South Saskatchewan River after a dog disappeared in the icy waters earlier this week.
Early this week, a viewer wrote to Global News with a heartbreaking story. Their dog was playing with two other dogs in a local dog park when they went out-of-bounds to the river.
“Two went under the ice but only one came up,” wrote the viewer.
Last spring, a dog was swept away by the undertow when it bounded into the river.
It’s a dangerous situation and the SPCA is warning dog owners to be cautious when playing with their pets around the river.
“When the dogs are getting out for the first time, they’re going to be really excited,” said Tiffany Koback, the shelter director at the Saskatoon SPCA.
“Some dogs will be playing fetch with their owners and their owners will throw objects in the water … so you really want to keep an eye on them and make sure they’re under your control.”
The Saskatoon Fire Department treats pets in the river the same as a person.
“We do field calls for animals going into the river and we do respond to these just like we would any other emergency,” said assistant chief Morgan Hackl.
Saskatoon SPCA recommends outfitting dogs with canine life jackets, complete with a handle and under-belly harness, if they are playing around bodies of water.
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