Dogs and Ice Danger

This time of year I like to post a warning, reminding owners that ice in our area is never safe. Every fall and winter, there are weekly stories appearing in the news of dogs and owners falling through ice. Dogs, of course, can't understand the danger. An icy pond looks like an open field to them. Many owners don't appreciate how unsafe ice is (especially in central Ohio), or how quickly a fall in frigid water can kill. Ohio's fluctuating temperatures do not allow water in our area to develop the strength to support dogs or people.

Be aware of the hazards, and keep your dog away from ice! That means either keeping them on a leash if you're near frozen waterways, or having them well trained (and closely supervising them) if off leash. Dogs chasing wildlife, or just wandering onto ice, can be at great risk quickly. A fall into icy water causes hypothermia in minutes. Once a person's (or dog's) core temperature drops, muscle control and clear thinking becomes quickly impaired.