A canoeist who pulled a drowning dog from the Thames has revealed how he got a nasty surprise after doing so.
Peter Hughes and Steph Aldridge were the two canoeists caught on video rescuing a stricken pooch on Sunday (June 14), from the river at Kew, opposite Brentford Dock.
They are both trained coaches with Edge Paddling, based at Brentford Boating Arch under Kew Bridge, and were leading a group trip when they noticed the dog's plight and paddled over to help.
The pair initially held the mutt above the surface before Mr Hughes hauled her on board his canoe, but he didn't bargain on what happened next.
"I was worried she might bite me out of fear so I didn't pull her onto the boat at first. As soon as she got in she did a really smelly fart, which wasn't pleasant," he said.
The canoeists drifted about 100m downstream, where they found a ladder up the steep banks. After a little persuasion they got the dog's owner to climb down and help her pet clamber up to dry land.
Mr Hughes said the woman, who he believes was French, thanked them for their help.
"I think the dog would probably have drowned had we not got it out at that point, as it would have exhausted itself trying to escape," he said.
"Either that or the owner might have tried to slide down after it, which would have been very dangerous. It's a bit of a shaggy dog story."
John Dale, who recorded the dramatic footage of the rescue from his balcony, said he had seen many dogs getting into trouble along that stretch of river.
Mr Hughes, who has been plying the Thames for six years, said it was the first time he had been called to the aid of a floundering dog, although he was aware of another canoeist having helped a soggy mutt to safety.
