False confidence putting Yorkshire dogs at risk around open water, Dogs Trust warn owners

Dogs Trust has issued a warning to Yorkshire dog owners to be responsible around open water as dog-related water incidents continue to rise across the UK.

Today, the dog welfare charity launched its ‘If in Doubt, Keep Your Dog Out’ campaign to save both dogs and their owners from highly preventable injury or death while in water.

New research shows that over 40% of dog owners in Yorkshire and the Humber believe beaches are generally safe places for dogs to swim, but Dogs Trust want to urge owners to be cautious.

The RNLI recorded 308 dog-related incidents across the country between 2021 and 2025, which is an average of one incident every week.

The most commonly recorded incidents involved dogs entering the water and requiring assistance, people entering the water in an attempt to rescue them, and encounters with hidden hazards.

If in Doubt, Keep Your Dog Out warns owners to stop, check and think before allowing their dog into open water and to never assume a river, lake, canal or beach is safe simply because it looks calm.

As part of the campaign, Dogs Trust surveyed over 2,000 dog owners across the UK where they found an owner's confidence around water safety often outweighs their understanding of the risks.

In fact, 85% of Yorkshire dog owners say they would enter the water to rescue their dog if they got into difficulty, despite the danger to their own lives.

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive at Dogs Trust, said: "One preventable water incident is one too many.

“We know these figures don't tell the whole story, but every rescue is a reminder that calm-looking water isn't always safe. Taking a few moments to assess the risks could save your dog's life - and your own."

Before letting your dog into open water, Dogs Trust urges owners to check:

• Water quality – is it clear, clean and free from pollution?
• Current strength – is the water calm or fast-flowing?
• Exit points – can your dog easily get in and out?
• Presence of algae – look out for green scum or blooms.
• Water temperature – is the water likely to be cold?
• Presence of other wildlife – are there animals that may react to your dog?
• Nearby warning signs – follow any local advice.
• Depth – is it suitable for your dog’s size and swimming ability?
• Surroundings – any steep banks, slippery surfaces or loose rocks?

Dangerous scenarios owners should look out for include dogs unexpectedly falling into water and strong currents and riptides.

Dogs Trust advise owners to remain on land if their dog falls into trouble to prevent further risk to life.

Owen said: "As a responsible dog owner, of course you want to protect your dog – but panic can turn one casualty into two. If your dog gets into difficulty, avoid entering the water wherever possible. Encourage them back to shore, use rescue equipment if it is available and safe to do so, and call the emergency services if there is danger to life.

“The best rescue is the one you never have to make: Stop. Check. Think. If in Doubt, Keep Your Dog Out."

Hazardous scenarios can arise unexpectedly. Football broadcaster Natalie Pike knows this all too well after her dog Silva drowned after accidentally falling into a waterway in 2018.

Natalie said: “It happened on a walk we'd done hundreds of times, in a place I believed was completely safe. The water looked calm, there were no obvious warning signs, and I never imagined there could be a hidden current beneath the surface.

“Like many owners, I thought dogs were natural swimmers, especially young, healthy dogs like Silva. I now know that's simply not always the case.

She continued: “If sharing Silva's story encourages just one person to stop, check the water properly and think before letting their dog in, then something positive can come from our heartbreak. No family should have to experience the loss that we did simply because the danger wasn't visible."