Lifeboat crew bitten by dog during rescue

Two lifeboat crew members were bitten by a dog as they tried to rescue it from the Thames Estuary, the RNLI said.

Ian Smith and Chris Cheese-man were taken to hospital for medical checks and given anti-biotics after Tess, a German Shepherd cross, nipped them amid her panic.

The dog had entered the water for a swim while on a walk with her owner but became disorientated and ended up half a mile off the shore of Canvey Island, Essex.

The crew of Gravesend RNLI lifeboat was returning from a previous service when it was sent by Thames Coastguard to the dog’s aid.