A donkey who saved a sheep from a dog attack in North Yorkshire is to receive an animal bravery award.

Dotty the donkey stepped in when her stable mate, Stanley the sheep, was attacked by a dog in a paddock at Row Brow Farm, near Scarborough.

Dotty will be presented with her award today, by representatives from pets charity PDSA.

Dotty’s owner, Ann Rogers, 63, said: “Dotty saw her friend in distress and charged down the field to rescue him from the dog’s jaws.”

Dotty then pinned the dog to the ground until it let go of Stanley, who was orphaned as a lamb. As a result of the attack, the sheep lost two teeth and suffered facial paralysis.

Ms Rogers said Stanley has now recovered and is never far from his rescuer.

PDSA vet Elaine Pendlebury said Dotty’s behaviour was outstanding.

She said: “Often when faced with a threat, donkeys will rise up to face their enemy, in this case an aggressive dog. Dotty showed herself to be a true protector of the animals she sees as her family.”