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Tragedy struck in West Lothian as two pet dogs died shortly after jumping into a fast-flowing burn while out with a dog walker.

Molly and Princess got swept away when they jumped into the stream in Bathgate on Thursday last week. Both were pulled underwater as the stream went underneath a ridge.

The dog walker quickly called emergency services but Molly died at the scene and Princess succumbed to her injuries later.

Owners of both dogs have rallied round the devastated professional dog walker, saying she is not to blame for the tragic accident.

There are calls for West Lothian Council to install signage and a fence around the fields behind Renton Drive to warn people of the danger.

The Pooch & Friends dog walking company posted about the incident on Facebook. It happened as the Lothians were hit with a deluge of rain and bad weather.

They said: "Today we were faced with an accident we could not foresee.

"While walking the dogs in a very popular walking destination for many dog owners in Bathgate area, the fields behind Renton Drive, two of our water loving dogs, Molly and Princess, went into the burn.

"Both of them got sucked in under the wee ridge going above it. Despite an immediate reaction of the dog walker, and call for emergency services, Molly could not be saved.

"I am numb writing those words, as this tragedy have not fully sank in yet."

The company's owner said she was keen to make sure people were aware of the dangers.

She added: "I believe it is utmost important to make everyone aware of the dangers there, to prevent any similar tragedies happening in the future.

"We will also run additional risk assessments on our walking locations, to ensure we have not missed anything.

"I also want to thank from the bottom of my heart to the services, and the Riverside Vets who have done all their could to help, and to the four Angels: Lorraine and Sarah, strangers until today, who took my drenched toddler in from the scene and cared for her for quite a few hours, and the two ladies, who were walking their dogs there, stopped to help, and to carry Princess to the vehicle so she could be transported to the vets immediately.

"A huge respect to our dog walker, who, despite the shock, done everything she could, including performing CPR on Princess on the scene."

Molly's owner commented saying: "This is extremely difficult to put into words how devastated we are at losing our baby girl. I just want to thank everyone for the very heartwarming messages in this very difficult time.

"Our house is empty and we are numb with grief.

"I want to say thank you to the dog walker at the scene. We certainly do not blame them in anyway for what was an extremely tragic accident."

A West Lothian Council spokesman said: "We are aware of a tragic incident involving two dogs in Bathgate recently.

"We are currently looking into this to see if any appropriate action can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future."