Woman rescues a dog that plunged through thin ice into frozen lake
Woman rescues a dog that plunged through thin ice into frozen lake
Woman rescues a dog that plunged through thin ice into frozen lake
Woman jumps into an icy lake to save a dog that plunged through a thin sheet of ice while chasing birds.
Revealed: Walker who risked her life diving into icy lake to save a beagle was just weeks into a new venture running a dog day care business and the lucky pooch was her first 'client'
Selena Malortie, 31, jumped into a frozen lake to save Gia, a beagle she was walking in Alexandra Palace
The image of Miss Malortie rescuing the dog made national news and won people's hearts
Former teacher, Miss Malortie, said Gia was her 'first client' in her new venture running a dog day care business
The image struck a chord with dog lovers everywhere.
Swimming through the ice, a woman wearing a life ring helped guide a terrified beagle to the bank of a frozen lake after it plunged through a thin sheet while chasing birds.
Now she can be revealed as a former teacher who was just weeks into a new venture running a dog day care business – and the beagle was her first ‘client’.
Selena Malortie, 31, yesterday laughed off the praise she received for her heroism, saying: ‘It’s really sweet, but I can’t imagine who wouldn’t do the same. It sounds silly, but I think I just really like dogs.’
She was walking Gia at Alexandra Palace in North London when the pet ran off. With a thin sheet of ice covering the lake, the three-year-old dog mistakenly saw a solid route to the flock of ducks she was chasing while Miss Malortie’s back was turned.
But within seconds of setting paws on to the frozen lake she plunged through the ice. Without thinking twice Miss Malortie, who had completed a canine first aid course 24 hours earlier, took off her jacket and shoes, strapped on a life ring and jumped in.
‘Someone had to get her out. I could see her struggling so I jumped in,’ she said.
‘I was hoping to crawl along the ice but it gave way quickly. My first thought was, “oh my God, why have I done this?” But then I was just focused on getting the dog out.
'There was a lot of adrenaline so that’s probably why I didn’t feel cold at the time. I would probably do it for any dog, it just happened that I was looking after this one.’
A crowd of around 20 people watched the rescue, as Miss Malortie guided Gia to the bank from about 40 yards out. They were ushered into a nearby cafe, where Miss Malortie was given a change of clothes, while Gia was also dried off.
