Dog rescued from icy river

A dog owner has praised restaurant staff who helped to rescue his pet from the River Trent.

Mr Andy Doyle, of Newark, was walking his nine-month-old husky, Belle, near the Town Lock on an extendable lead when she fell off the path.

Staff from The Moorings restaurant and bar heard the dog’s distress and helped Mr Doyle get Belle out of the water.

Mr Doyle said Belle was chasing a leaf when she slipped over the edge.

“She just ran straight off the edge and hit the water. It was really cold on Friday so there was actually ice on the river,” Mr Doyle said.

“Luckily she was on an extendable lead so I could help keep her head above water, but when I tried to lift her out her harness started to slip off over her head.

“She was howling with fear, which caught the attention of two employees from The Moorings who quickly came to my aid.

“Another man passing by also helped. One of the Moorings’ lads climbed down a ladder on the side of the river while the rest of us coaxed her towards him.

“He grabbed her and lifted her up to the passer-by, who got her back on to dry land.”

Mr Doyle said he was very grateful to The Moorings’ general manager, Mr Carl Wright, and head chef Mr Luke Hickman, and the member of the public.

He said: “I was relieved to see the chaps come out. I can’t begin to say how grateful I am to them.”

Mr Doyle said Belle was none the worse for her experience and was still chasing leaves.

He said: “I will definitely be keeping an eye on her when she’s next to the river or near a road in future.”

Mr Wright said he was pleased Belle was safe and well.

He said: “I heard the situation and went out to investigate. The dog was in the river and needed help.

“We led the dog owner to where there were some steps and Luke went down the steps and pulled the dog out of the water.”