Dog owner thanks firefighters for saving his “best friend” - Dave the dog

A dog owner has thanked firefighters for saving Dave, his Golden Labrador, after it went missing.

Dave was with owner, father-of-two Dale Osler when it ran off. It was rescued two-and-a-half miles away, stuck in a river, tangled up in reeds, about three hours after it went missing.

Firefighters were called to Ten Mile Bank, near Downham Market, at about 3.30pm on Monday.

Mr Osler, a farmworker, from Sedge Fen, near Southery, said: 'I'm proper chuffed he's back. I've had him for 11-and-a-half years since he was a puppy. This time I thought he was gone for good. I thought someone may have picked him up and taken him away, as he's such a friendly dog.'

Mr Osler, 37, was with his farm dog working when it went missing. He said: 'I started riding around looking for him, but could not find him.

'A young lad spotted him in a river and called the fire brigade, which sent out a rescue boat. I'm very thankful to the fire brigade for saving him. They saved my best friend.'

Tim Edwards, group manager (western district), Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service, said: 'I went with the water rescue team from Thetford. The dog was trapped and could not get out.

'It was cold and wet but very happy to be on dry ground and safe. There was a phone number for its owner on the dog tag.'