WATCH: Moment 'lovely' Lucky the abandoned pointer-labrador is rescued from Yorkshire river
This is the dramatic moment a dog called Lucky is saved from fast-flowing river rapids in Yorkshire after being abandoned.
The mobile phone footage shows the one-year-old pointer-labrador stranded on the steep, muddy, and overgrown riverbank next to the River Dearne, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
The poor pooch can be seen inches from falling into the freezing water before the fire service pulls Lucky to safety after sailing upstream in a dinghy.
A member of the public fed him some sausages
The good boy was fed sausages after he was returned to dry land and has since been taken into care by the RSPCA's Sheffield branch.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Danielle Drury, who recorded the video, said: “We got a call from a member of the public who heard him barking and howling in distress.
“It’s a really steep drop where he was and when I got there he was just curled up on some reeds at the bottom. He must have exhausted himself with all the barking. But fire and rescue had also been alerted to the scene and they managed to get the boat to him.
"You could tell how powerful the current was because they struggled to paddle upstream. They got him back to the bank and handed him over to me. He seemed fine. He wasn’t cold or wet and a member of the public fed him some sausages - a lady had a jar of hot dogs that she fed him.”
“I’ve no idea how he got there or how long he had been there - whether he was dumped by the new owner or got off his leash or what. He’s a really, really lovely dog - he was happily walking along with the fire brigade, he was good with everybody at the vets."
The drama unfolded on December 3 at a popular dog walking spot near the Old Moor Tavern at Broomhill. Two South Yorkshire animal rescue bodies HARTSAR and K9RSQ were also present helping out with the emergency, alongside South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. Locals also tried to save Lucky but the steep banks made it unsafe to do so.
Danielle was unable to establish how Lucky got on the river as the owner registered to his microchip claimed to have “rehomed” him unofficially several weeks ago. It is thought he may have been abandoned on the riverbank or escaped from the new owner.
However, the sparky liver and white pup seemed in good health and none the worse for his escape from a perilous situation. He was checked over by a vet and homed temporarily at private boarding kennels ahead of being taken to RSPCA Sheffield Animal Centre.