A dog reported stolen was found dead in a Cambridgeshire pond this morning.

The owner of the dog contacted police at 9.30pm last night (Thursday March 1) believing it had been stolen.

A police spokesman said: “The occupant had gone home and seen the back door was open and one of her dogs, a staffordshire bull terrier, was in the garden pond but the other dog, a pug, was missing.

“It was later established a break in was unlikely and it is possible the dogs had managed to escape the house.

“Tragically the pug was found in the same icy pond at about 9.30am this morning (Friday March 2).”

Following the incident, and with children still off school, police warned parents about the dangers of ‘walking on thin ice’ as the freezing weather continues.

Overnight temperatures have been as low as -6 degrees and many local ponds and areas of open water have frozen or at least formed a top layer of ice.

Sgt Priestley said: “The dangers of ‘walking on thin ice’ should be apparent to everyone - but can’t be taken for granted.

“Falling into such extremely cold water can be lethal, with a much greater risk of drowning, heart attacks and hypothermia.”

“This advice is equally valid for dog walkers and pet owners who feel that their animals my be attracted to the frozen surfaces.

“Keep dogs on leads and away from the water.”

“As the weather begins to thaw - as it eventually will - the risks of brittle ice will only increase.”