Cupar postie hailed hero after rescuing dog from river

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/fife-herald- ... 5862113.jp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A CUPAR postman has been hailed as a hero after rescuing a pensioner's beloved dog from the River Eden.
Jeff Davies (23) took the plunge to stop 13-year-old Hooch being swept away last Friday.

Hooch's owner Bunty Collins contacted the Fife Herald through her daughter, Jacqueline Mason, to publicly express her gratitude for Jeff's good deed.

Jacqueline said: "What Jeff did was extremely brave, and mum is very grateful.

"There's so much bad news at the moment, but this shows that people still care."

Hooch, a black-and-tan terrier crossbreed, escaped on Provost Wynd while being taken for his afternoon walk.

By the time Jeff entered the fray, Hooch had made his way across town and was heading towards the north bank of the Eden at Waterend Road.

Postie Jeff said: "I'd finished work and had just come out of the Clydesdale Bank on St Catherine Street when I saw a dog in the road.

"It was obviously in danger of being run over, so I followed it all the way down past Lidl, trying not to frighten it.

"When it got to the river, it jumped straight in."

With the Eden flowing quickly after last week's heavy rainfall, Jeff was reluctant to jump in himself at this stage.

He said: "The dog was bulletting down the river — its head was going under and then bobbing back up every so often.

"There was a girl helping me keep an eye on it along Cart Haugh, but by the time it went under the bridge on Pitscottie Road we thought it had no chance."

However, further down the river Hooch's progress was slowed by some weeds, giving Jeff the opportunity to dive in and pull the distressed pooch to safety.

He added: "My main thought was that the dog was someone's buddy.

"I knew I had to go in, because the last thing I wanted to do was let it drown."

With Hooch dried off and fully recovered from his ordeal, Bunty — who turns 76 today (Friday) — was able to thank Jeff in person on Wednesday.

She also wished to thank the Dairsie woman who took Hooch to the vet after he had been rescued, and who asked to remain anonymous.

[stokes11eg]

Well done---

[Broxi51]

Well done Jeff