A DOG helped save his owner’s life by alerting an emergency service - 30 miles away.

Teddy the golden retriever jumped into action when the woman started having breathing problems.

He followed his training by pressing her Lifeline pendant button and barking to signal that she needed help.

The SOS message from the home in North Devon was picked up by staff at the Deane Helpline, run by Taunton Deane Council in Taunton, who alerted an ambulance crew straightaway.

Cllr Jean Adkins, Deane executive councillor with responsibility for the service, said: “The incident showed just how effective the Helpline is in making sure people who need help can summon that help immediately and effectively.

“Our staff, based at Kilkenny in Taunton, are trained to deal with so many situations – and it’s marvellous to see that a specially-trained dog like Teddy can use our Lifeline to such good effect.”

The Helpline service, which has operated for 30 years, has over 14,000 alarms connected in the Taunton and Wellington area and further afield.

Contact is made through special telephone communication equipment and the Helpline has emergency response officers who can visit a client’s home if necessary or raise the help of a doctor or ambulance.