Chiswick Lifeboat Rescues Two Dogs from Thames

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Owners warned to keep pets on leads close to fast flowing river

London lifeboat crew at Chiswick RNLI pulled two struggling Staffordshire bull terriers to safety after they began drifting down the River Thames.

At 10.42am on Monday 6 July the London lifeboat crew from Chiswick RNLI were alerted by the owners of two dogs that their pets had entered the water and were rapidly drifting down the River Thames, caught in a strong current. 

As one of the frightened dogs drifted past the lifeboat station, a quick-thinking crew member on the shore pulled the dog out of the moving water.  The crew then launched the lifeboat to rescue the second canine which was struggling to stay afloat near moorings in the middle of the river.

Ollie is lifted aboard the lifeboat

Mark Turrell, Helmsman at the charity’s Chiswick RNLI lifeboat station, said: "The dog, called Ollie, was very frightened and kept swimming away from the boat. He was extremely tired and had ingested a large amount of water therefore we had to grab him quickly.

"There was absolutely no energy left in him and once we got him onto the deck of the lifeboat, he rolled onto his side in exhaustion. We let the dog rest before reuniting him with his much relieved owners and advised they take him to see a vet as soon as possible."

This rescue comes two days after Chiswick RNLI crew launched the E class lifeboat Dougie and Donna B, to help another distressed dog which was cut off by the tide on the sandy foreshore near Duke’s Meadow on Saturday afternoon. The dog, Nelson, couldn’t be reached on land by its owner, so was taken aboard the lifeboat and reunited with its owner.

Mark Turrel explained: " When there is a dog in trouble, there is always a risk that the owner will go in after it and end up putting their own life in danger. If your pet enters the water, never attempt to follow it.

" Instead, find a safe place on the river bank and call your dog towards you. Dogs should always be kept on a lead if they’re close to fast flowing rivers. If your pet is in danger, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."

July 10, 2015