A PUPPY has drowned in a river despite the best efforts of lifeboat volunteers to save it.

Members of the Sunderland RNLI were alerter after the owner of a lurcher puppy called to say their pet had fallen into the River Wear, close to Wearmouth Bridge, in Sunderland, shortly before 8.30am today.

Coastguard officers immediately requested the launch of Sunderland RNLI’s D Class inshore lifeboats along with officers from Sunderland Coastguard Rescue team.

Lifeboat volunteers quickly found the dog and recovered it onto their vessel. Travelling back to the marina, volunteers provided emergency casualty care in an attempt to revive the puppy.

Paul Nicholson, of Sunderland RNLI said: "Sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone involved we were unable to save the puppy from drowning.

“Many of our volunteers have their own dogs at home and appreciate how upsetting it will be for the dog’s family who have tragically lost a young family pet.”