Woman got stuck trying to rescue dog who fell into the river while chasing birds

Chiswick RNLI say they have rescued their ninth dog walker this year, highlighting the dangers when people try to rescue dogs who have fallen into the Thames.

At 9.35 on Monday morning 19 November 2018 Chiswick lifeboat crew responded to a report of a woman and her dog in the water downstream from Hammersmith Bridge. At 9.39 they arrived to find a woman in the Thames at the foot of the river wall.

Monty, a four month old rescue dog from Battersea Dog’s Home, had chased some birds and careered off the riverside path into the Thames. The owner had clambered down a ladder and got hold of the dog. She then managed to get Monty up to her friend above but the strong rising tide made it impossible for her to get back to the ladder. She was standing in around metre of water so it was straightforward for the crew to get her into the lifeboat; within half an hour the water would have risen another metre.

A recent rescue of a woman and her dog

The crew gave her blankets and treated her for some minor grazes. Since she had been in the water they advised her to visit A&E to enquire about getting a tetanus injection. The woman was very grateful for the crew for rescuing her and was in good spirits. Her main concern, after knowing that she and her dog were safe, was that her friend might be late for yoga.

This was the ninth dog related rescue for Chiswick RNLI in 2018. Helmsman Glen Monroe commented ‘ We learnt that the woman’s friend had immediately called London coastguard on 999. Her swift action significantly reduced the time it took for us to reach the casualty. It was a cool morning, with wet clothing in a fierce easterly wind she was cooling rapidly. The fast response meant she needed no further treatment beyond the initial first ai

For information on how to stay safe on or near water or to find your nearest lifeguarded beach, visit the RNLI’s website at www.rnli.org.uk

December 4, 2018