Dog rescued after plunging though park pond ice

A dog has been rescued after falling through ice on a frozen pond.

Dexter became stranded on the duck island at Cutteslowe Park in Oxford on Friday during the cold snap which saw temperatures plummet.

With support from the park's Oxford Direct Services (ODS) team, dog warden, Ady Higgs waded out through the icy water to scoop up the wet pooch and return him to his owner.

Once safely back on dry land he was warmed up, reunited with his owner and taken to the vet for a check-up.

Mr Higgs said: "Given the freezing temperatures and Dexter already being wet, our focus was to get him safely back to dry land.

"It was truly a team effort. While I provided support and equipment, the real credit goes to everyone involved, including colleagues from Car Parks, Parks, and Tree Services, who all came together to ensure a successful rescue.

Oxford Direct Services (ODS) works on behalf of Oxford City Council

The lowest temperature recorded in Oxfordshire on 11 January was -9.5 C (14.9F) in Benson.

The cold snap saw natural ice sculptures form in Oxfordshire gardens including an ice spike shooting out from a bowl and ribbon ice underneath railings.

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