A dog called Lucky lived up to his name when dramatically plucked from a fast-flowing river by hero fire crews in their boat. A worried crowd gathered on a bridge above the River Dearne in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, after hearing the stranded pointer-labrador cross's desperate barks - but could not reach the one year-old pet.

But luckily for Lucky, he was pulled to safety after a crew from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue paddled their dinghy upstream - with RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Danielle Drury at the scene to take him into the charity's care. She captured the nerve-wracking rescue operation on mobile footage from above.

Danielle was unable to establish how Lucky got on the river as the owner registered to his microchip claimed to have "rehomed" him unofficially several weeks ago.

He may have been abandoned on the river bank or escaped from the new owner. However, the sparky liver and white pup seemed in good health and none the worse for his escape from a perilous situation.

He was checked over by a vet and homed temporarily at private boarding kennels ahead of being taken to RSPCA Sheffield Animal Centre next week.

The drama unfolded on Wednesday (December 3rd) at a popular dog walking spot near the Old Moor Tavern at Broomhill.

Danielle said: "We got a call from a member of the public who heard him barking and howling in distress.

"It's a really steep drop where he was and when I got there he was just curled up on some reeds at the bottom. He must have exhausted himself with all the barking.

"But fire and rescue had also been alerted to the scene and they managed to get the boat to him. You could tell how powerful the current was because they struggled to paddle upstream.

"They got him back to the bank and handed him over to me. He seemed fine. He wasn't cold or wet and a member of the public fed him some sausages.

"I've no idea how he got there or how long he had been there - whether he was dumped by the new owner or got off his leash or what.

"When I got there he was just curled up asleep on some reeds so he might have been there a while and exhausted himself.

"He's a really, really lovely dog. He was happily walking along with the fire brigade, he was good with everybody at the vets.

"I think he was just happy to be out. A lady had a jar of hot dogs that she fed him. He's maybe a little lean but otherwise there are no major concerns about his condition at all."

"He'll go to the Sheffield RSPCA branch and stay there until he can be rehomed. Some of the people at the vets fell in love with him as well and wanted to rehome him so fingers crossed he will be rehomed in time for Christmas."

The RSPCA has launched an urgent appeal - The Big Give Back to Animals - in the hope of raising vital funds for its frontline officers to help rehome more animals like Lucky.