AN ALSATIAN dog almost had its day, but thanks to firefighters from Huddersfield it lived to tell the tale.

Workmen at the Deighton water waste treatment site in Ashgrove Road saw the dog in the nearby River Colne around 7am on Monday morning.

The RSPCA was called to attempt a rescue but due to the danger of the situation fire crews were called.

Two firefighters wearing special water rescue suits entered the water and managed to drag the dog to shallower water from where it was pulled to safety.

The rescue took around 45 minutes.

A fire service spokesman said: “It was a tricky operation. The dog was very cold and not moving much, but it seemed pleased to be rescued and gave us a quick bath when it shook itself!”

The dog is being cared for by the RSPCA.