Firefighters are reminding dog walkers about the dangers of icy waters after a dog needed to be rescued from a boating lake in Dulwich.
Ponzo is thought to have been chasing something when she ran into trouble after running onto the icy lake in Dulwich Park this morning.
Freezing and soaked through, Ponzo managed to swim to the safety of an island in the middle of the lake before her worried owner rang the Brigade for help.
Firefighters arrived on scene and after breaking through the ice, they were able to paddle out in one of the Brigade's inflatable boats to rescue stranded Ponzo and bring her to safety.
Station Commander Pat Ackroyd, who was at the scene, said: "The owner absolutely did the right thing by calling us out. The ice was really thick and crews had to work hard to smash through it to create a path for the boat to reach Ponzo.
"Once rescued, she was checked over and wrapped in a blanket before being given back to her grateful owner.
"This incident highlights the dangers of keeping dogs off leads near water, particularly in these freezing temperatures."
RSPCA Pet Welfare Specialist Dr Sam Gaines said: "Our advice at the RSPCA is to keep dogs away from frozen ponds, lakes or rivers which can pose a danger and make sure their paws do not get impacted with snow.
"It is best to walk dogs away from frozen water or keep them on the lead if it’s unavoidable. If your dog ventures onto the ice, never follow them onto it, instead call them to come back to you right away, but if they get stuck call fire and rescue services for help.
"Owners should never try to risk rescuing their pet themselves as they could get themselves into a dangerous situation."
Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, Charlie Pugsley, added: "Even if ice appears thick from the bank, it becomes thinner very quickly. Keep away from the edge of the open water, especially slippery banks.
"If you fall in, the temperature of icy water is cold enough to take your breath away, which can easily lead to panic and drowning. The coldness can make your arms and legs numb which means you can’t control them and can’t swim. It can lead to hypothermia – a serious reduction in your body temperature – which can cause heart failure. This happens even to the strongest swimmers."
The Brigade was called at 0821 and the incident was over for firefighters by 0917. Three fire engines from Forest Hill and West Norwood fire stations and two fire and rescue units from Lewisham and Croydon fire stations attended the scene.