By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Lethbridge residents reminded to keep pets away from ice-covered bodies of water

Jan 23, 2019 | 1:19 PM

LETHBRIDGE – With fluctuations in weather conditions and temperature lately, the City of Lethbridge and Fire & Emergency Services are asking residents to keep their pets on a leash whenever they’re walking near ice-covered water in the city.

Animal Control Officer Skylar Plourde says they were aware of an incident the other day, and unfortunately, that happens every year around this time.

“It’s one of the reasons why the leash law is in effect, as your dog is required to be on a leash when it’s off your property. This incident occurred at an off-leash dog park, where legally your dog is allowed to be off-lease, but people need to be very aware of where their dog is going.”

Pets are not aware of the hidden danger of falling through the ice, and if your pet gets loose on the ice, officials ask you try and coax it back to shore – but not to go after it.

“One of the requirements under the dog bylaw is if your dog is at the off-lease park it still has to be under your control. If you can’t control it physically or with voice commands, you need to be very aware of the river. If you’re near a body of water that has ice on it, and you’re not 110 percent confident your dog has good recall, keep it on a leash.”

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If your pet goes into the river or onto the ice and falls through, Plourde says its important to immediately call 9-1-1.

“The proper rescue crews from Emergency Services will come out and try to get your dog. Ultimately you need to very aware of what your dog is doing, your dog is always your responsibility and under your control. If you’re at the off-leash park, don’t be standing looking at your phone, drinking coffee, or talking to your friends, you need to be paying attention to where your animal is,” Plourde stated

Residents are also reminded that going on any storm pond ice is prohibited and that ice thickness in storm ponds is not monitored by the City.

The only ice that is monitored is at Nicholas Sheran, Henderson and Chinook Lakes, all of which are unsafe at this time.