A DOG ended up in the drink after a hapless visit to the pub with its owners in Newton Abbot last night (Thurs).

The luckless labrador celebrated its arrival at the Toby Carvery off Penn Inn by leaping over a low wall - and straight into the Aller Brook 12ft below.

Firefighters from the town were called to the scene just before 7pm to pluck the stuck-in-the-mud mutt to safety.

They climbed down an extension ladder in dry suits to extricate the poor old pet from 1ft of sludgy water.

His rescuers revealed that if the same had happened a week before - after heavy rains - the torrents would have swept him away to Teignmouth ‘in no time at all.’ But fortunately the river levels were benign and he was able to stay exactly where he was in the unforgiving silt.

Fire spokesman Scott Leaman said: ‘He was very lucky because the water level was so low. Last week it would have been a different story.’

He added: ‘The water was not fast flowing - but it as very muddy. The dog was fine - although he did look a bit sorry for himself. The guys got him out very quickly and everyone went on their merry way.’