Dogsey

The man who stripped to his pants and crawled across ice to rescue his dog has agreed his action was dangerous and does not recommend anyone else does the same, but says he did it because he could not stand by and watch a “precious family member” die.

Malcolm Jarvis of Bradfield explained that his four-year-old dog, Bentley, fell through the ice after chasing ducks. It all happened around two minutes into the walk.

“I saw him becoming more and more distressed,” he said, “and had to make a decision.” He didn't call the emergency services but believed that Bentley would have died if he'd had to wait for them to arrive.

“We were watching his little head sink lower and lower in the water and he was getting tired and slowing down because of the cold. I was thinking, “We're going to lose the dog – he's going to die”. I couldn't let that happen.”

Mr Jarvis said he stripped off because he knew he'd be in the water. He said the ice gave way after 15 feet but he was able to grab Bentley and swim back to the edge of firmer ice. “I would not recommend everybody else takes the same action,” he said. “It's just at the moment you don't think.”

Mrs Jarvis said: “When you don't own a dog, you just think “crazy people", but they are a part of the family. Some may criticise and some may call him a hero. He's definitely our hero.”

The family have vowed to keep Bentley on a lead in future.

Watch Mr Jarvis speaking about the incident here:



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