Devastated dog owner's warning after beloved pup tragically dies before her eyes

A distraught dog owner has described the moment she watched on helplessly as her beloved pup drowned in front of her.

Katherine Swift has urged other owners to 'think twice' about letting their dogs swim in rivers after she watched her Golden Retriever, Bo, drown in the River Mersey.

Katherine, from Chorlton, Gtr Manchester, had been out walking with Bo when he jumped in and was swept away by the current.

Despite a huge rescue operation involving fire engines, drones and search parties, Bo didn't survive.

Speaking to The BBC, Katherine said: "First of all it was totally debilitating, I didn't want to go out of the house, I didn't want to do anything.

Bo was a 'strong swimmer' but still couldn't fight the current which swept him away (BBC)

"I miss him dreadfully.

"I can't believe that I'll never see him again.

"He was such a strong swimmer, I saw him going up and down, and then I just panicked and I ran and I was just trying to call him and call him to the bank.

"He was fighting and fighting and then the current just got the better of him."

After putting a call out on Facebook for help, thousands of people responded and tried to rescue Bo believing he may have been swept downstream.

Katherine said losing Bo has been 'totally debilitating' (BBC)

Despite Bo being a strong swimmer he was unable to fight the currents and Katherine believes other people may not realise the dangers of rivers for dogs, unless they are told.

Katherine has called for warning signs to be places around rivers explaining the dangers of letting your dog swim in the water.

She said: ""People were forming groups and walking and looking for him, four fire engines came, people got drones out.

"I think whoever is in charge should put a few signs up warning people so at least they are aware of the dangers

The RSPCA says that 9 out of 10 British rivers are difficult to get out of (BBC)

"Take care and perhaps think twice even if your dog is a really strong swimmer, which Bo was, about letting them go.

The RSPCA has warned that 90 per cent of rivers in the UK are difficult to get out of.

Keith, an RSPCA rescue officer told The BBC: "The rivers do look inviting but there's undercurrents that are strong.

"It's cold... they're not flat and you've got to try and climb up so it's very hard to get out."