An Esperance couple who lost their beloved dog in a deadly rip is calling for authorities to install clearer signage to warn other beachgoers of the dangers.
Georgia Crook and Ash Bowman watched their Australian shepherd, named Mushu, get sucked under a reef at 11 Mile Beach, west of the south coast town, last weekend.
Ms Crook said she has since learned that many other dogs have died the same way, and fears a small child would also be vulnerable.
It was a perfect day, until it wasn't
Ms Crook and Mr Bowman describe the day as a typical, beautiful February day in Esperance — the water was crystal clear and still, and the sun was shining.
"Ash and I were absolutely aching to get to the beach like we always are every weekend, because that's just what you do in Esperance," Ms Crook said.
"We thought, let's try 11 Mile, we'd never been before, it's quiet out for a swim, and so beautiful out there."
When they arrived, they headed away from the crowds, toward the other end of the beach with their dogs Tilly and Mushu.
Ms Crook said when she last saw Mushu, he was swimming towards her, around the edge of a reef.
It's thought Mushu was pulled under the reef by a rip.
Ms Crook said her partner dived down to look for him, but all he could see was black.
Mushu was gone.
Not the first, but hopefully the last
After searching the beach and reef, the couple said they hoped Mushu would at least wash up on the shore so they could lay him to rest at home.
They put out a message on their local community group page in the hopes the community could look out for him.
But they soon learned many other dogs had died at the same place and people worried a child could be next.
"We got so many comments saying, 'My dog got taken there too','" Ms Crook said.
"It shocked us that so many people have lost their pets this way."
One person commented saying a friend also lost their dog through a hole in the reef a few years ago.
"I was warned about this a few years ago, a man lost his little Jack Russell, could so easily be a child," another said.
"That's so sad, needs some warning signs there. It's not the first dog unfortunately and hopefully it never happens to a kid," another person said.
Community calls for more signage
Ms Crook said specific signage alluding to the danger of caused by the reef would have changed the course of their day entirely.
"We are not risk-taking people — I'm also 33 weeks pregnant," she said.
"Had we known the reef had suction, we would've spent the day somewhere else."
The couple have since written a letter to an Shire of Esperance councillor, saying they would like to see a clear sign on the reef to let beachgoers know about the suction.
Comments on their post to the Facebook Esperance Community page are also asking for signage and action from the local shire.
In a statement, the shire said signage was already in place.
"As demonstrated by its participation in the Esperance Coastal Safety Campaign, the Shire of Esperance takes coastal safety very seriously, and universal signage warning of coastal hazards including strong currents and slippery rocks may be found at coastal access points," the statement read.
"We ask that visitors and locals stop and read this signage so they're aware of all possible risks when enjoying our coastal areas."
The couple hoped shining a light on their loss may help prevent any further tragedies at the popular swimming spot.
"I think the ocean can take no prisoners," Ms Crook said.
"I just don't want anyone else's dog to get taken and I definitely don't want it to be a child.
"I mean, if Ash didn't have hold of the rock when he went under to look for Mushu, I wouldn't have got him back either."
