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Dog swim brings 'memorable' pool season to close

Galya DimitrovaSouth of England
BBC A black dog is emerging from a pool with a ball in its mouth. Other dogs and people are seen in and around the water behind it.BBC
It was Oxford's Hinksey Outdoor Pool first-ever dog swim

More than 200 dogs have been part of the "rare opportunity" to enjoy an outdoor pool before it closed for the winter.

Oxford's Hinksey Outdoor Pool said its summer season had been brought to "a memorable close" with its first-ever dog swim on Sunday.

It said dogs of all breeds and sizes had taken to the water and hopes to bring the dog swim back next year.

James Ewart from Leisure Solutions Community Trust, which manages the venue in partnership with Serco Leisure, said the event had created "a brilliant atmosphere and was a great way to celebrate another successful season at the pool".

Hinksey Outdoor Pool A brown dog with goggles by a pool.Hinksey Outdoor Pool
The pool said attendees ranged from "confident canine swimmers diving straight in to those cautiously testing the water for the first time"
A brown dog is swimming in a pool with a red toy in its mouth.
Pooches were happy to bring their favourite toys to the dip
A black dog at the pool. A woman's hand with a bracelet on is holding a ball near its snout.
Owners said having a pool for the dogs to swim was "a much nicer and cleaner environment" compared to rivers
Several different breed dogs are running around a pool. Two women are in the water.
Dogs from all shapes, sizes and breeds made a splash
Hinksey Outdoor Pool A black and white dog is looking at the water at a pool. There are many people in and around the water.Hinksey Outdoor Pool
The event also brought together the local community
A brown dog is running a pool with a ball in its mouth. There are other dogs and people behind it.
Many owners said their pets loved to swim
Dogs are playing in a pool, some with balls in their mouths. People can be seen in the distance, too.
Organisers said the event had created "a brilliant atmosphere and was a great way to celebrate another successful season at the pool"
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