Devastation as couple’s dog ‘disappears underneath’ the water and drowns in Yorkshire reservoir

A dog has drowned in a Yorkshire reservoir after his owner saw him disappear underneath the water.
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Fran McDonell was walking along Thruscross Reservoir with her baby and friend when her Working Cocker Spaniel routinely ran towards the edge of the water.

When the owner called her dog, Barney, but couldn’t see him, she went to the North Yorkshire water edge only to see him disappearing underneath.

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Now, Fran wants to warn others to watch their dogs near water especially during cold weather.

Owner Fran McDonnell and her Working Cocker Spaniel, Barney (photo: Fran McDonnell)Owner Fran McDonnell and her Working Cocker Spaniel, Barney (photo: Fran McDonnell)
Owner Fran McDonnell and her Working Cocker Spaniel, Barney (photo: Fran McDonnell)

In a heartbreaking Facebook post about the incident, Fran said: “I had Vinnie in the baby carrier so I couldn’t grab him.

“Barney could swim so I am not sure why he went under the water, whether he fell in and panicked or his body went into shock because it was cold or something pulled him underneath, but sadly our gorgeous boy has drowned and we are absolutely broken.

“Barney loved to be in water and was confident in it, but if it wasn’t a shallow area, I would call him away from the edge and he would always come back.”

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Fran also expressed her thanks to those who helped her during the incident, including a man sitting nearby who jumped in the water to pull Barney out.

Barney drowned in Thruscross Reservoir on November 21 (photo: Fran McDonnell)Barney drowned in Thruscross Reservoir on November 21 (photo: Fran McDonnell)
Barney drowned in Thruscross Reservoir on November 21 (photo: Fran McDonnell)

The man performed CPR on the dog in an attempt to save him.

Fran said: “I tried to carry Barney back to the car, but with a good couple of miles left to go, he was so heavy and I was really struggling.

“We stopped a family to ask if there was a quicker way to the car park and when we told them what had happened, they offered their help.

“The kindest man carried Barney for me and cut through a field to wait at the roadside as his partner who was so lovely, led us to the car park and then to the roadside to pick them up.

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“They were just there on a family walk with their children and dog but they went out of their way to help me.”

After asking Facebook friends to share her post to help her find those who helped, Fran has been able to contact the “wonderful people” who helped.

Fran, added: “Our Barney - everyone who knew him loved him, so much, how could they not?

“He was the loveliest, most loyal and loving dog who was happiest by our side (or under our feet) and snuggled on the sofa with us.

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“I can’t believe he is gone but we have so many wonderful memories of him in his short five years and he will always be in our hearts.

“I truly hope that nobody else has to endure the pain that we are feeling right now, but if this post makes just one person think differently about their dogs being in and around water, then we can take comfort from that.

“Our little Barney would have loved all the attention, he loved people and his whole body would wriggle whenever he was stroked by anyone.”

Barney was owned by married couple, Fran and Craig McDonnell.

Fran's post about Barney has received over 17,000 likes and 10,000 shares.

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