The dog, named Dave, had a lucky escape after he was fished out from a river by local firefighters

Dave the dog was out in the fields with his owner, Dale Osler, a farm worker from Sedge Fen, when he wandered off.

A man spotted the pooch in a river at Ten Mile Bank, near Downham Market, and called firefighters at 3.30pm on Monday, 25 January.

Firefighters acted promptly and saved Dave with the help of a raft.

“I went with the water rescue team from Thetford. The dog was trapped and could not get out.” said Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service group manager (western district) Tim Edwards.

“It was cold and wet but very happy to be on dry ground and safe. There was a phone number for its owner on the dog tag.”

Father of two Dale Osler, 37, said: “I’m proper chuffed he’s back. I’ve had him for 11-and-a-half years since he was a puppy. This time I thought he was gone for good. I thought someone may have picked him up and taken him away, as he’s such a friendly dog.
“I started riding around looking for him, but could not find him. A young lad spotted him in a river and called the fire brigade, which sent out a rescue boat. I’m very thankful to the fire brigade for saving him. They saved my best friend.”.

Tim Edward's Twitter Post