Puppy love as family of dog swept away by Inver River welcome little Peggy

Cocker spaniel Daisy was swept away by the river in February, after she ran down some steps during a walk and ended up in the water.

After owner Sian Parry posted details of the incident on Facebook, the story was shared thousands of times and dozens of volunteers took to the river bank to comb the area.

Despite hopes that Daisy would be found alive, her body was recovered three weeks later.

Daisy’s heartbroken family have now welcomed a new puppy into their family to help them cope with the grief.

“We thought long and hard about getting another dog,” Sian’s dad Steve told the Times.

“We decided to get Peggy as there were so many reminders of Daisy in the house, but Peggy isn’t a replacement, more a destraction.

“We have got Daisy’s ashes in the front room and we decided to get a new pup to bring a new life into our home. Daisy won’t be forgotten.”

The family are now calling for action ensure the safety of other pets.

“I would like signs to be put up notifying people of how strongly the river can flow and for dog owners to keep their pets on leads in that area,” Steve concluded.

A Mid and East Antrim Borough Council spokesperson said it was “concerned about this incident” and that it would work with the Rivers Agency, who it said was “responsible for such waterways and for any such signage.”

However, a Rivers Agency spokesperson said that while they were “saddened” by the incident, water safety and signage was not its responsibility.