A stark warning has been issued to dog owners after a pooch and their owner fell through an ice-covered lake.

The incident happened on Tuesday (January 24) morning when a dog and its owner both fell through the ice at a lake in Warrenby, Redcar.

Fire crews from Cleveland Police were called to the scene within minutes to rescue to the dog and their owner, but the pair were able to make their own way out of the water.

Police and paramedics were also called to the scene to assist the pair.

Now fire chiefs have issued a warning to dog walkers to remind them of the danger to them and their pets around ice.

Cleveland Fire Brigade released a statement saying: “This is a stark reminder to keep dogs on their leads when near ice and never go onto ice or into the water to rescue a dog, move to somewhere that the dog will be able to climb out and call them towards you.

“In the event of an emergency always call 999.”

In December regional fire bosses urged parents to have “serious conversations” with their children following reports of youngsters playing on frozen bodies of water.

Schoolchildren were photographed playing on a frozen Darlington pond less than 24 hours after a tragic incident in Solihull which claimed three young boys’ lives.