A DOG has drowned in the River Sid in The Byes, according to a tragic warning shared by a member of the Sidmouth community.
The warning, shared to 'Sidmouth Community For The People' Facebook group on Wednesday, October 16, reads: "A dog has just drowned in the river Sid in the Byes.
"PLEASE don’t let your dogs go in when the river is fast-flowing and high.
"Even dogs who are good swimmers can get into trouble. It was very traumatic."
The post was met with hundreds of comments of support for the dog's owner, with one local writing: "The river is so high at the moment. Such an easy oversight to let any dog off the lead in the Byes. What a tragedy. So sorry."
Sidmouth was at "low risk" of flooding on Wednesday, October 16, the Met Office and Environment Agency stated.
A general flood alert [not a flood warning] for "possible flooding" covered the River Otter, Sid, and the Exmouth area.
Advice from PDSA states: "If your dog – or anyone else's – gets into trouble in the water, don’t be tempted to go in after them. Ring 999 instead and get help from the professionals.
"Sadly, every year people lose their lives while trying to save their dogs. Dogs can often get themselves out of dangerous situations and going after them just puts yourself in danger, too."
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