A DOG owner has praised firefighters who rescued the family pet from a canal. Maisie, a Weimaraner, had fallen 25 feet into the dry canal at Fourteen Locks, Rogerstone.

Sherrell Phillips had been walking the dog along the the path near Pensarn Cottage when it slipped and fell.

Mrs Phillips, of Glasllwch Crescent, High Cross, told the Argus if it hadn't been for firefighters from Malpas fire station she did not know how she would have got two-year-old Maisie out.

The incident happened on Sunday morning after Mrs Phillips had persuaded her sons, Louis, aged ten, Oliver, three, and their cousin, Connal Holmes, eight, to "put down their Gameboys" and help walk the dog.

Mrs Phillips said: "We were just walking along the canal, where we go all the time, and Maisie was running along.

"There were some trees hanging over the canal and she went towards the trees and slipped through. The dog was then stuck "She couldn't get up the one side because it was a lock and she wouldn't come up the other side.

"The water wasn't that deep, but it was over-grown in parts. She was just really scared." A passing cyclist offered to ring the fire brigade.

Mrs Phillips said: "They were there within five minutes and were absolutely fantastic. "Two of them abseiled down into the canal and brought her back out in a basket. "She was fine, but a bit nervous. She didn't even whimper."

Mrs Phillips said she would still be walking Maisie along the canal, but would keep her on a lead in future.