Life saving device

I WATCHED the MayDay television programme last month, showing the difficult last-minute rescue of an exhausted dog which had jumped into the River Arun at Littlehampton and been swept towards the sea.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Oct 2011, 09:20 BST

The presenter said that seven other dogs also needed rescuing by the Littlehampton lifeboat since that incident.

I was concerned whether safety barriers were in place to prevent this or if there were any signs warning dog owners of the danger.

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Having contacted the foreshore officer, I was told that there are barriers and a low wall was to be replaced, but there were no signs.

I would be willing to donate towards such signs if your council could be persuaded to have them, perhaps on posts already in situ, with warnings such as: “Danger of drowning – keep dogs on leads”.

The officer suggested that dogs – also on boats – could wear flotation harnesses.

These are available from my local canal boat chandlery and probably also near you or online, from Yorkie to Labrador sizes, from £25 upwards.

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If anyone locally would like to organise a poster-essay competition for children re dog water/ice safey, I would be very willing to donate towards modest prizes, etc.

This all might help to save dogs’ lives, prevent family distress and save RNLI call-out costs.

Jenny Slee,

Manchester

Related topics:RNLIManchester