THREE dogs reportedly received electric shocks after entering a pond in a pleasure park.

Sussex Police cordoned off the area around Brooklands golf course, which is on the boundary between Worthing and Lancing, at about 2.30pm on Saturday.

Residents told The Argus there were three dogs involved in two separate incidents though the Sussex Police statement reported only two dogs.

The first incident happened on Friday evening and the second on Saturday morning.

The area was reopened to the public later on Saturday afternoon.

UK Power Networks was called to assess the situation.

A spokeswoman said: “We were made aware of an incident which occurred at Brooklands Park on Saturday.

“Our engineers attended to investigate alongside the park’s electricians and found no fault on UK Power Networks’ equipment. We are sorry to hear that two dogs were injured. The safety of our staff and the public is a top priority.

“Therefore no works were completed by UK Power Networks in the area.”

Rachel Williams, 55, from Sompting, claimed her dogs had an electric shock after going into the pond on Friday evening. She said: “My dogs, who are both Romanian mixed breeds, were very shaken by the incident.

“I normally take my dogs to Brooklands for a walk. They went into the pond for a swim, they came out screaming.

“There was no visible damage, but I think they’ll be put off going for a swim for a while.

“I believe it was an electrical shock because one of my dogs had previously jumped on an electric fence in the South Downs and she made the same scream.

“I didn’t take them to the vet because their injuries were not serious. I contacted police and an emergency number for the council. Twice I was put on hold for a long time and I just gave up.”

Anna Claxton, 38, of Brougham Road, east Worthing, witnessed the second incident.

She said: “It was about 9.30am and I was walking my dog. I heard a woman screaming ‘help me help me’.

“She was crying and in great distress.

“She was desperately trying to wake up her brown Labrador. Luckily the dog woke up and it seemed OK. I came back at about 4.30pm and police were there.”

Adur and Worthing councils were contacted for a comment.