Worried rescuers used a freshly-cooked sausage to try and encourage a dog trapped in a river to paddle to safety.
But despite waggling the chip shop banger in the direction of the hapless hound, she did not seem keen on the meaty treat and eventually had to be plucked from the River Stour in Sandwich using a hoodie borrowed from a passing tourist.
River Runner boat tours skipper Wayne Goldfinch tries to coax the drenched doggie out. Picture: River Runner
Wayne Goldfinch, who captains River Runner boat tours on the Stour, was among those who went to the aid of the female terrier when she was spotted trapped between a boat and pontoon.
The 51-year-old was bringing his vessel back to the town centre quay shortly after 3pm on Friday when he was called in to assist.
Mr Goldfinch, from St Lawrence Avenue in Ramsgate, said: “We’ve come back from a trip and there’s some people standing up on the quay and they pointed down to a dog that was in the water between the pontoon and a boat.
“We just tried to coax it back to the pontoon but it wasn’t moving, so this woman went over to the fish and chip shop to get a sausage to try and coax it with.
“But I think she was vegetarian because she didn’t like the sausage, but eventually she came over.”
Wayne Goldfinch with the terrier rescued from the waters of the River Stour in Sandwich. Picture: River Runner
The poor pooch was obviously scared by the whole experience because she would not let her would-be rescuers get a hold of her.
A couple visiting from Australia lent a hoodie which was then used to help extract the drenched doggie from the water.
After being dried off, the dog was taken to a vets where it was discovered she was not microchipped. Because it is not known if she has an owner, she was passed into the care of the district dog warden.
A spokesman for Dover District Council said: “We can confirm that we collected a brown female terrier in Sandwich on Friday.
“As the dog had no collar or chip, she was transferred to our kennelling contractor where she is being looked after. She will be cared for here for seven days to give us time to find the owner.
“If the dog is not claimed, the kennels will look to rehome her on our behalf.
“Can we take this chance to remind everyone of the importance of having your dog microchipped.”
Anyone with information on the owner should call 01304 872289, or email [email protected], quoting the reference WK202206929.
Animals Kent Sandwich Rhys Griffiths
