River Trent drowning dog rescue was 'horrific'

Jane Harper and her friend Joanne Bellamy spotted Bella in the water while out walking their own dogs

A woman who rescued a drowning dog whose lead was tied to a rock said the ordeal was "horrific" and "emotional".

Jane Harper had been walking her dogs with a friend when they spotted the Belgian shepherd in the River Trent.

The animal, whose name was recorded on her microchip in 2010 as Bella, was taken to a vet where she is recovering.

A 31-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty offences have been released under investigation.

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Mrs Harper and her friend Joanne Bellamy found Bella near Long Lane in Farndon, Nottinghamshire, at about 08:20 GMT on Monday.

"It looked like a dead dog, and then it blinked so I got [Joanne] to hold my dogs and went in," said Mrs Harper. "Adrenaline just kicked in and I had to get her out.

"We thought she might have just got caught in the river but it was only when I tried to take her out I couldn't move her.

"The water was so murky you couldn't see the rock at first. It was horrific."

Bella, a Belgian shepherd, was taken to a vet and is recovering

Mrs Harper said the dog had managed to rest its head on a rock to breathe and she pulled her out of the water onto a step.

"She's a big, heavy dog. Then another dog walker came and got her on to the grass, and wrapped her in his jumper. Another lady came running out with towels. It was a real community effort.

"She was absolutely frozen - we all thought she would die. It was very emotional."

Nottinghamshire Police said inquiries continued.

The dog's lead was tied to a large rock in a carrier bag