Dog's 8-day ordeal in river

A miracle dog spent eight days fighting for survival after being swept into the River Wear. Alfie lost more than a stone in weight after he found himself lost, alone and with no food.

Sleeping under the stars he wore his claws down to just stubs as he desperately tried to clamber back to safety.

Stranded on rocks, he was forced to doggy-paddle for survival as the river level rose. Desperate owner Annabel Nielson searched high and low for her beloved pet for eight agonising days.



But just as the 37-year-old was about to give up hope, two fishermen spotted Alfie stranded on rocks eight feet from the bank.

Fire crews were called to the rescue and winched Alfie to safety, just 100 metres away from where he had gone missing. The lucky animal managed to escape his ordeal fairly unharmed.

He had lost weight, had several cuts under on his chest and his claws had worn down as he tried to get out of the river – but he has now made a full recovery.