MANY people will be stunned at Wendy Alesbrook’s insistence that, despite being rescued from the icy Cherwell after going into the river after her dog, she would do it all again.

Firefighters had to come to Miss Alesbrook’s aid but they were only alerted by a mystery passer by.

Potentially we could have been talking about a tragedy in this case.

It is thought Ann Powles, from Summertown, died trying to rescue her dog after he fell through ice into the Cherwell, and there have been other similar rescues this winter.

People who do not own dogs will say it is ridiculous to put your life at risk for the sake of your animal.

But what they fail to understand is that a dog is very much part of the family – and to many people their pet is loved and cherished as much as a child.

But owners should surely be showing more sense in not allowing such a situation to develop.

Dogs getting into trouble falling through ice is hardly a new phenomenon. Either take the dog to an area where there is no water or keep them on leads near rivers.