Story By: Alex Cope, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Video Credit: CEN/@112cmadrid

This is the moment mountain rescuers lift a dog trapped in a river channel to safety using a helicopter.

The dog became stuck in the channel of the Manzanares River in the La Pedriza area of the community of Madrid, north of the Spanish capital on 7th January.

The owner of the dog, who has not been named in reports, had called the emergency services after his pooch Perla slipped on a piece of ice and become stuck in the channel of the river.

The Special Group of Rescue at Height (GERA) from the local fire service flew to the scene in a helicopter and arrived in 20 minutes, according to reports.

In the video, the rescuers can be seen arriving at the scene before three of them attach the dog to a harness dangling from the helicopter.

One of the rescuers sits with the dog as the helicopter lifts them to safety and drops them on solid ground.

The owner told reporters that the pooch had suffered light injuries which have now been treated, adding that the dog is now “perfect”.

He added that the rescuers were “very prepared and it was needed. I thought I was going to lose my dog. They came in 20 minutes with a quick solution and I went on my way, thanks a lot”.

The emergency services reminded walkers to avoid shady spots where ice has not melted in order to prevent further accidents.

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