Dogs Trust warns of rise in water-related dog incidents
Dogs Trust has issued a caution after a reported increase in water-related incidents involving dogs, urging owners to be vigilant.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Dogs Trust has issued a fresh warning to dog owners about the dangers of open water after a series of incidents in which dogs and their owners have got into difficulty. The charity is urging owners to think carefully before letting their pets swim in rivers, lakes or the sea, particularly during hot weather.
One case highlighted by the charity involved a dog named Silber, a German short-haired pointer, who got into trouble while out on a walk with his owner Cara in Buckinghamshire. Silber entered a river as usual but struggled to get out because the banks were steep. Cara, who was with her newborn baby, said: 'He had gone into the river which was nothing unusual he likes to swim. Where he tried to come out the banks were really really steep he just was becoming out of breath he was getting really distressed.' She considered going in after him but was stopped by a passer-by named Michael, who waded in to rescue the dog. 'It was really instinctual I actually went into the water and I just started lifting him up it was a pretty big dog which I didn't realize and he was also really distressed,' Michael said.
Despite Michael's successful rescue, the official advice from Dogs Trust is not to enter the water yourself, even in familiar areas, because it can put you at risk. Instead, owners should look for rescue equipment or a long stick, and if near the coast, dial 999 for the coastguard. The charity's research shows that water-related incidents involving dogs have reached a five-year high in 2025, possibly due to longer, hotter summers and fewer people holidaying abroad. Owners are advised to check for hazards such as algae, the strength of the current, and the number and type of exit points before allowing their dog into open water.
Cara now keeps Silber on a lead near water and only lets him go into shallow areas. She said: 'I was really confident with him in water but since that incident I've been really really strict with him.' The incident serves as a reminder that dog safety around water is important from an early age.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Official advice is not to go in the water after a dog. | |
| Owners should check for algae, current strength, and exit points before letting dogs into open water. | |
| Water-related incidents involving dogs reached a five-year high in 2025. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focuses on a specific incident involving a dog named Silber and his owner Cara, using a personal story to illustrate the broader warning from Dogs Trust. It includes emotional quotes from both the owner and the rescuer, and ends with a safety message. The tone is cautionary and human-interest driven.
- “He had gone into the river which was nothing unusual he likes to swim he's a really good swimmer. Where he tried to come out the banks were really really steep he just was becoming out of breath he was getting really distressed”
- “It was really instinctual I actually went into the water and I just started lifting him up it was a pretty big dog which I didn't realize and he was also really distressed”
- “I was really confident with him in water but since that incident um I've been really really strict with him he can only go into places where it's really shallow”
Broadcast Timeline
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