Manchester man rescues dog from frozen lake

In a scene reminiscent of a recent episode of Emmerdale, a Manchester man had to crawl on his front across the ice to rescue his dog as it fell through the ice on a frozen lake. Twenty-five-year-old Marc Greenhalgh was taking his dog for a walk on New Year’s Day in Middleton, Greater Manchester, when the dog decided the frozen lake was an ideal opportunity to pursue some ducks. The cocker spaniel named Jarvis chased the ducks onto the ice, plunging into the icy cold lake as the ice beneath his feet broke.

Marc Greenhalgh plunged in to rescue his dog in a selfless act. He stated:

It was very cold to be honest. You don’t want to think about it at the time, I just wanted to get to him really.

When it happens you just go and do what you’ve got to do. There’s a lesson to be learned I think, I won’t be leaving him off the lead again.

Julie Brown was passing by when Marc was rescuing his dog, and she took photographs of the brave efforts. She said:

A lot of people would say he was idiotic, to risk his life for an animal, but as far as I was concerned he was an extremely brave man.

If my dog was in danger I’d like him to be there.

Marc didn’t get quite as much praise from the Fire and Rescue Service though, who advised against entering an iced up lake to save a dog. Paul Etches, of the Fire and Rescue Service, stated:

He is extremely fortunate in being able to survive the conditions that he was entered in.

I would say to anybody please, please stay away from the ice, and do not consider going on to icy water at this time of year.

The BBC website has a video of the rescue.

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