Trapped dog rescued by RNLI crew after falling into the River Thames

A dog was plucked to safety by a lifeboat crew after becoming trapped on a river wall having fallen into the Thames.

Pepper the Tibetan terrier slipped three metres down a riverbank near Kew Gardens on Monday, landing in the River Thames before managing to climb out.

The soggy dog clambered a metre back up the wall but was unable to go up any further as his owner, Jan Rushton, desperately tried to reach him as he began sliding back down.

A passing lifeboat crew from Chiswick RNLI saw the dog stuck and leapt into action to reunite him with Ms Rushton.

Glen Monroe, RNLI helmsman, said: “It was very fortunate that we were passing by, as Pepper was unable to save himself and the owner had no way of reaching him.

“We carry out a number of dog rescues each year as we are always concerned that the owners may try to enter the river to retrieve their dogs, often putting themselves at more at risk than their pets.”

Ms Rushton thanked the crew for saving her dog, adding she was sure Pepper would have fallen back in had he not been rescued.

The RNLI states owners should never follow their pets if they enter the water but call the animal from a safe place on the riverbank.

Dogs should also be kept on a lead if near to fast flowing waters, the RNLI said.