A DROWNING dog was pulled out of the River Ouse by lifesavers on a training exercise nearby.

Freckles, a breed of spaniel, became “unresponsive” in seconds when she fell 5ft into the river from the Marygate landing on Wednesday evening.

York Rescue Boat were training nearby, however, and a member of the team who was providing safety cover went into the water to recover the drowning dog.

She was taken to Minster Vets for a check up and was given the all clear a short time later.