Five teenage boys lept into a lake in an Ilford park to save a drowning pet dog on Sunday.

Ilford Recorder: This pomeranian was rescued from the lake in South Park, Ilford, on Sunday.This pomeranian was rescued from the lake in South Park, Ilford, on Sunday. (Image: Archant)

The lost pet was fighting to stay afloat in South Park lake, Ilford, but the teenagers came to its rescue just in time.

Edward Cerniauskas, 15, said he and his friends were on their way to play football when they heard its terrified barks and jumped a fence, before helping each other down the steep, slippery bank and wading in.

Edward said: “I took off my jumper and wrapped it around the dog.

“I think he was stuck, he was shaking and cold.”

Goodmayes councillor Barbara White watched as the dramatic rescue unfolded in the park, in South Park Road, at about noon.

She said: “The boys deserve a medal for what they did for that little dog.

“I don’t know what would have happened if it wasn’t for them.”

The pomeranian emerged with its long fur soaked with water and caked with mud.

When an owner could not be found, Cllr White drove Edward, his friend and the dog, huddled in a donated fleece, to Animal Ark Veterinary Centre, Goodmayes.

Nurse Saira Carstens, who treated the traumatised animal, said: “Most dogs can swim, but he had been in the water for quite a long time.

“He was a bit tired and smelly and had a couple of grazes, but he will be fine.”

Vets believe the dog may have been unable to climb the steep banks of the lake after jumping in for a swim.

The 18-month old was taken in by the Redbridge dog warden until owners came forward on Monday.

Adela Gorolova said the beloved family pet, Carino, had escaped out of the front door of their New Road, Seven Kings home, on Saturday.

She added: “All day we looked and looked but we couldn’t find him. I’m so happy he’s back, and my children are too. I was crying every day and now I can sleep and eat like before. Without him it was awful – he’s my baby.”