Perhaps the person who tied up Willow asked her dil to check if she was still there as it was niggling her. I'd probably do that, run on to my appointment with that situation in the back of my mind, wondering if the dog had been found by its owner. I probably would assume the owner and dog had become separated on the walk. I don't think I'd immediately assume a person had entered the water.
DIL goes back to check and alarm is raised, because at that point its unusual. Lost dogs are posted on my fb every day of the week, dogs get loose, lost and found.
DIL goes back to check and alarm is raised, because at that point its unusual. Lost dogs are posted on my fb every day of the week, dogs get loose, lost and found.