The injured dog had to be rescued from the Thames after chasing ducks over a wall which had a five metre drop on the other side.

On Wednesday morning (April 2) after spotting the ducks, Hashi, a Portuguese water dog, jumped over the river wall in Fulham landing on the foreshore, over five metres below.

Although this breed of dog, the same as President Barack Obama's family pet Bo, were bred to herd fish and act as couriers between boats this one seemed unaware of its ancestors achievements.

The distraught dog's owner immediately called a vet after Hashi lay hurt on the foreshore and an animal ambulance and Chiswick RNLI were called.

The first people to reach the distressed hound were the lifeboat crew.

When the RNLI arrived two crew members leapt ashore to find the dog lying very still but wagging her tail. The owner was with her, but had been advised to keep the dog still until the lifeboat arrived. 

RNLI Lifeboat Helmsman, Glen Munroe, said: “Being able to reach the injured dog from the water made recovery much easier, all our crew are pleased that they helped ensure of  a good outcome for Hashi.” 

After veterinary surgeon Rachel Kirkby and veterinary nurse Trish Everett had made an initial assessment Hashi was carefully transferred into the lifeboat’s basket stretcher for transfer as access at the scene was difficult.

They constantly monitored her during the trip back to Chiswick Pier where she was transferred to the pet ambulance and taken away for further assessment. The vets thought the prognosis was good but they suspected there might be some fractures. Later examination found that there were no broken bones, but it was still felt necessary for Hashi to be referred to a specialist clinic for further tests.

Although the RNLI’s purpose is saving lives, crews often come to the aid of animals in distress near the water as frequently owners try to rescue their pets, only putting themselves in jeopardy.

Chiswick RNLI Lifeboat is the second busiest in the UK and Ireland; since starting service in 2002, has attended over 2400 incidents and rescued over 1200 people.