Keep your dog safe on ‘ruff’ waters

On International Dog Day, Marine Rescue NSW urged boaters to keep their furry friends safer on the water by ensuring their dog is wearing a canine lifejacket when out on a boat or paddle craft.

Marine Rescue NSW members Mike Hammond and Courtney Greenslade, and Courtney’s daughter Ava, along with their dogs Bennie and Bee, appeared on the Morning Show on Network Seven.

Their message was a simple one – keep your dog safe on the water by buying them a canine lifejacket.

In the past two years over 200 dogs and their owners were rescued on our waterways, many from potentially life endangering situations, with Marine Rescue NSW volunteers observing that many dogs were not wearing lifejackets, making them vulnerable to drowning in an emergency.

A canine lifejacket is an inexpensive and effective way to keep your best friend safer, and boaters should ensure that their dog is wearing one whenever they head out on the water.

Make sure that the lifejacket is brightly coloured, as if your dog falls overboard, they will be much easier to spot.

On the set of The Morning Show

Bennie, Courtney and Ava

The lifejacket should also have a grab handle on the back so you can more easily bring your dog back on board, provide support for their neck so their head stays above water, and be tight enough to stay on but loose enough to allow your dog to swim freely.

Finally, when you Log On your journey with your local Marine Rescue base, let us know there’s a dog on board, that way we can keep an eye out for them, as well as you, if there’s emergency.