A jogger has been called ‘heroic’ after rescuing a drowning dog which she spotted on her run.
The woman was jogging at the side of Radcliffe Canal, in Manchester, just before it turns into the River Irwell just before 6pm on Wednesday.
She saw a man walking ahead of her and when she got closer, saw a small dog terrified and struggling in the water.
She scooped the elderly female Jack Russell out of the water, and shouted to the man as he was carrying a red lead with a collar still attached.
The woman, who does not want to be named, said: ‘I said to him, “Is this your dog?” He initially said, “Yes Nelly, come here,” but the dog was terrified and shaking.
‘As she was so frightened I then said, “Shall I take her and look after her?” and then he said he didn’t know whose dog it was.’
She said two men came past so she explained what happened, and the man she thought was the owner then walked off.
The jogger added: ‘She was so cold – luckily I was wearing a hoodie so I wrapped her in it and took her home.
‘The man seemed confused and vulnerable – so I am not sure what happened but I was concerned for both the dog and the man.’
She then called the RSPCA, who collected the dog from the woman’s home in the evening.
Nelly was rushed to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where she was found to have a tumour on her stomach, but it is not thought to be serious and she will have an operation for it to be removed.
The charity is hoping someone may recognise who the dog belonged to, and is keen to speak with the man the jogger spoke to with the lead.
Inspector Demi Hodby said: ‘It is really concerning that this poor dog was found to be drowning in the canal and it is just fortunate that this heroic woman saw what was happening and managed to rescue her.
‘She then took her home to comfort her until I arrived. She told me the dog was really sweet-natured with her and even fell asleep in her arms but was nervous around her husband.
‘At this stage we can’t really speculate as to what has happened and the man seen nearby may be able to help with my enquiries. There could be an innocent explanation.’
She said Nelly is ‘doing well’, and after an operation to remove the tumour she will be in a place to be rehomed.
The man seen nearby is described as white, aged around 60, about 5ft 6in with brown/grey hair.
He was wearing two odd shoes with no laces, a white-collared shirt which was worn back to front, and was wearing jeans.
Anyone with information should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.
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