The fire service has issued a strict warning (Picture: Cleveland Fire Brigade UK)

A dog has died after falling through ice at a frozen lake in Middlesbrough.

Fire crews rushed to the scene and, as they approached, saw children walking over the same ice the pet had fallen through.

Cleveland Fire and Rescue posted on Facebook: ‘We have just attended an incident involving a dog that has fallen through the ice on Hemlington Lake, whilst in attendance children were seen trying to walk on the ice, please please pass on the dangers of this.

‘Frozen ponds and lakes may be very tempting to walk or play on but please stay well away and do not put yourself or anybody else in danger.’

Meanwhile, another dog got into trouble at a popular walking spot in Baggeridge Country Park in Staffordshire.

Lifebuoys were available but – unfortunately – they had been damaged by vandals.

A spokesperson from Staffordshire Council told BlackCountryLive: ‘We can confirm an incident took place at Baggeridge Country Park and offer our sympathies and best wishes to those involved.

‘As part of the park’s risk assessment, the lifebuoy rings are regularly checked by the ranger team.

The frozen Hemlington Lake (Picture: Cleveland Fire Brigade UK)

Meanwhile in Staffordshire, rescue efforts to save a dog were hampered by damaged life rings (Picture: BPM Media)

‘Sadly, on this occasion, the lifebuoys had been targeted by vandals, who repeatedly think it is acceptable to remove these essential lifesaving aids and put lives at risk.’

Today’s incidents followed the tragedy in Solihull earlier this week which saw four boys pulled from Babbs Mill Lake.

The youngsters aged 10, 11, eight and six all died as a result of the ordeal.

The family of brothers Finlay, eight, and Samuel Butler, 6, and their cousin Thomas Stewart, 11, have paid tribute to them.

They were pulled from the freezing water alongside Jack Johnson, 10.

In a statement, the boys’ family said: ‘As a family we are devastated at the loss of our beautiful boys Tom, Fin and Sam in such tragic circumstances. We would like to thank the emergency services for all they did in rescuing the boys and to the community for their support, it has been overwhelming.

‘We would like to pass on our condolences to Jack’s family at this very sad time, and ask for privacy from the media to begin to grieve.’

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The fire service has issued a strict warning.