Firefighters from Watford praised after dog rescued from River Colne (From Watford Observer)

Firefighters from Watford praised after dog rescued from River Colne

12:51pm Tuesday 15th December 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

A peaceful walk in their local park took a dramatic turn for Watford resident Bill Howard and his dog Amber when a rescue operation was launched after the beloved family pet fell into a river.

Firefighters from Watford and a specialist water rescue unit from Hatfield raced to the River Colne, off Water Lane, where Amber was stranded on a rock eight feet below the bank's edge.

Using specialist equipment, the 11-month-old German shepherd/Rottweiler cross was lifted to safety and Bill and his wife Doreen have praised the emergency services for their swift action.

Bill, 71, said: “I just want to say thank you to all the firefighters who turned up. They were brilliant. We didn't expect that. The way they acted and treated and looked after the dog was wonderful.”

For their regular evening stroll, the pair walked into Waterfields Park along the banks of the river from their home in Water Lane at about 7.30pm on Saturday evening.

Bill, a driver/attendant for County Transport Services, was throwing sticks to the lively puppy, who is “terrified” of water, before she introduced herself to a Staffordshire bull terrier being walked by a cyclist along the same tow path.

He said: “She ran down and as she went over to the dog, it turned on her and she jumped back and went straight over the wall into the river.

“I shined my torch and could see her standing there shaking in the water. I managed to get her walking ten yards and she stood on one of the big rocks in the river. Then she wouldn't move.”

Bill telephoned the police non-emergency number to ask for advice to help rescue Amber. Meanwhile, Bill's daughter Suzanne's partner George Houghton began wading into the muddy water when they heard the sound of approaching sirens.

The former builder said: “All of a sudden there were all these lights. I didn't know they were going to send out the fire brigade.”

His wife Doreen said: “It was so embarrassing. They were really good.”

Bill added: “They were absolutely wonderful. All the time the dog was sitting there looking at them.”

Firefighters from Green Watch at Watford Fire Station joined the water rescue unit from Hatfield at the scene shortly after 8pm. Crew members lowered a ladder into the water before attaching a harness to Amber and raising her to the bank.

Bill said: “You have never seen anything so funny in your life. She wouldn't leave them along after that. I think she was just so glad to get out of it.”

Bill has now warned others of the dangers of the open walkway that has nothing to prevent other animals or even children falling over the edge of the bank into the water.

He said: “There's nothing to stop a child or animals falling in. It's an accident waiting to happen.”

Lara Hejazi, from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue, said: “We get around 100 calls a year to animal rescues, out of 10,000 calls we receive in total.

“We only attend animal rescues when we are requested to do so by the RSPCA or the police when an animal is in distress. We would not attend an animal rescue if our crews were needed at another incident.

“However, we do have specialist teams and equipment and sometimes we are the only organisation who can rescue animals in distress. It would not be right for us to leave an animal to suffer or die if we have the equipment and resources available to rescue them.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)