WHILE most of us have spent the day caught up in General Election fever - or trying to avoid it - one Wirral RSPCA inspector has been spending it doing what he does best - rescuing a dog from a tricky situation.

RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes received a call from a Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service at around 3.30pm today, Thursday, after an American bull dog type was spotted in distress in Fender River, close to Upton railway station.

The dog was attempting to stay out of the water by standing on a shopping trolley and appeared unable to find its own way to dry land.

RSPCA animal collection officer Natalie Harrop and Merseyside Fire teams were already on scene when Inspector Joynes arrived - called due to his specialist water rescue training.

"A few minutes of spending time with the dog who was obviously terrified and offering him food and we became friends," said Inspector Joynes.

"He was however reluctant to enter the water. I noticed he was fixated on a leather football floating in the water and as soon as I picked that up and offered it to him he allowed me to put him on a lead.

"Half way down the river was cut off by 4ft of debris but we climbed that and he of course followed because I still had the ball."

It is not known how the dog ended up in the situation, but Inspector Joynes told the Globe he is just relieved he was able to rescue him.

He said: "He was showing signs of nervous aggression initially so it was a possible consideration to sedate him and carry him out but then I decided to try and just make friends with him."

Wirral Globe:
RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes with the rescued dog - and the football.

For Inspector Joynes, this was a happy ending and a great example of team work between the RSPCA and fire and rescue service.

He said: "In a time we were see so many horror stories of animal cruelty and negative stories involving bull breed dogs, this was a genuine happy ending.

"This was a big friendly giant as most bull breeds are and superbly behaved even in stressful circumstances.

"A few treats and a football and we were best friends. The fire service were first class in their response with assistance and man power."

The dog has now gone to the council kennels and of course was allowed to take the ball with him.

Inspector Joynes added: "Hopefully his owner is missing him and claims him soon. Who knows how he got there maybe he followed the football down there."

If you would like to help the RSPCA, you can text HELP59 to 70099 to give £3.

Wirral Globe: