A BOXER dog has been praised by a woman from Tavistock after he helped to save her from falling in to the canal.

Jo Bredbere was walking along by the canal with her dog Holly, and her friend Jane Harrison and her boxer Theo, when Jo stumbled backwards, causing her to fall.

The incident occurred when Jo reached a gate along the canal, past Tavistock College.

Jo said: 'I opened the gate, which opened up towards me, stepped back and fell down. Theo got hold of my hood and started to pull me — he saved me from the water.

'But he could have been saving me because I always give him treats!'

Jane, from Monksmead, said Theo was playful and enjoyed his walks with Jo.

She said: 'As she stepped she slid down the bank. I grabbed her hood and so did Theo, I don't know if it was playful or he was trying to save her but he grabbed her hood and pulled.'

l Pictured are Theo with Jo (right) and Jane. Picture by James Bird