MEET the pooch who caused quite a stir in Dallam at the weekend.

Around 50 people gathered around the banks of the brook near Hodgkinson Avenue on Saturday as firefighters waded through three metres of mud and water to rescue Japanese akita Hachi.

The unlucky mutt had got stuck in the mud during a walk with owner Nikki Blinston, her son Ryan, aged nine and her mum Wendy who were eventually forced to call 999 after their attempts to pull Hachi out of the bog failed.

The 43-year-old added: "It was only meant to be a short walk but as soon as we got close to the river he was straight in.

"I was a bit blasé at first because he's always in the water but he kept slipping down the bank and we couldn't get him out.

"We had been trying for about 30 minutes with a couple of other dog walkers trying to help us but then we called 999 and two fire engines and a boat turned up and about half of Dallam cheering us on."

Artist Nikki rescued Hachi, who weighs between 11 and 12 stone, from previous owners who had caged him after seeing an advert on Gumtree nearly three years ago and admits the rescue operation proved difficult for the crews.

Nikki, whose husband Will is former Warrington Wolves player Chris Riley's dad, added: "Hachi isn't an aggressive dog but he freaked out when the firefighters started pulling him and tried to go for one of them.

"He's a huge dog and you have to see him to believe it but the crew's teamwork and bravery dealing with him was amazing.

"I can't commend them enough.

"Once Hachi was out it was like nothing had happened and he just wanted his dinner.

"But I don't think I will be letting him near rivers again for a while!"

Nikki says she now plans to bake the white watch fire crew at Warrington Fire Station a cake to say thank you and will be taking Hachi along with her to visit the crew.