RECENT icy conditions have again reminded us of the perils faced by pets – and their owners – when winter weather takes hold. At vet charity PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) we have seen many unfortunate victims of the big freeze, so here are a few tips to help readers avoid becoming winter casualties.

Dog owners should prevent their animals from straying onto frozen ponds, lakes, rivers or canals, even though they may appear safe to walk on.

There is a high risk of dogs falling through the ice that can lead to hypothermia and even drowning. Dogs should be kept on a lead near icy water and owners should never try to rescue them if they fall through the ice – an attempted rescue on thin ice can make a bad situation even worse and people have lost their lives in the recent cold snap attempting to do so.

There are a few simple steps that can be taken to make dog walking in this weather a safe and enjoyable experience.

Ideally, take a mobile phone with you, follow well-known pedestrian routes and ensure you and your dog wear the correct clothing in extremely cold weather.

Elaine Pendlebury, Senior Veterinary Surgeon, PDSA