THE owner of a dog which almost drowned in the River Ouse has shared her thoughts on the work of the York Rescue Boat.

Caroline Wright is the engagement committee manager and volunteer with the team, and was taking pictures of the boat crew in training on Wednesday when Freckles, her English Springer Spaniel, fell into the water.

Posting on the York Rescue Boat Facebook page, she explained Freckles "fell into the water from quite a height off the steps and landed on her back" from Marygate.

She said: "This not only must have winded her, within seconds of being in the cold water and no exit point she became still and began to sink.

"Within four or five seconds, one of my amazing team members was in the water with all the appropriate rescue gear on, lifeline thrown in from the team, brought along to an exit point. She was spluttering, in shock and taken to the emergency vets The Minster Veterinary Practice on Leeman Road."

Freckles was wrapped in a fleece jacket and eventually given given the all clear by the vets, but Caroline said the message was clear.

She said: "This story could have ended so differently if I hadn't actually been with these amazing bunch of volunteers. This is a dog who is a very strong swimmer in normal circumstances.

"I wanted to personally say how amazing the team were and how much I appreciate what they have done and and will continue to do. Keeping us, and sometimes animals, safe around York rivers."

David Wilson, training manager with York Rescue Boat, said: "It does not matter how good a swimmer you are, human or dog, it does not take much for you to get into trouble in rivers or open water. Stay safe, stay out of the rivers."