Mexborough and Swinton Times July 20, 1928

Dog Rescues Child.

A Quick-Witted Playmate

A dog’s sagacity was the means of saving an eight-year-old girl from drowning on Sunday. Rene Speight, a daughter of Mrs. E. Speight, of 13, Highwoods Road, Roman Terrace, was with her playmate, Louie Stacey, aged ten, and “Peggy,” a nine-months-old dog belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Stacey, near the canal at Bowbroom on Sunday afternoon.

Rene was standing on the bank; and the sun shining in her eyes is thought to have dazzled her, causing her to slip into the water, which at that point was about five feet deep. Some men who were standing by at the time attemped to reach the child, and Louie, seeing her friend in danger, pushed the dog into the water. Rene gripped hold of the dog’s collar, and “Peggy” swam with her to the bank, where she was hoisted to safety.

A peculiar thing about the incident is that “Peggy” has never previously gone into the water.

The photograph shows the dog and the child she saved.