An injured police dog had to be rescued by firefighters after it plunged 50ft into Bradford Beck last night.

The dog and its handler were involved in a chase on foot at the time of the incident and it was following the scent of a suspect.

It jumped over a wall behind the Toyota car dealership in Canal Road, Bradford, where there is a sheer drop on the other side.

Police dog handlers went to the stricken animal’s rescue, but had to call on the help of the fire service.

Firefighters from Bingley and Bradford used a ladder to get to the dog, then used a wrap-round stretcher and ropes to haul it the top where it was handed over to a vet.

Clive Hedges, watch manager at Bingley Fire Station, said: "The police dog was in pursuit of someone and it had picked up the scent, jumped over a wall and down 50ft into Bradford Beck.

"It landed and injured itself. It was in the water when we arrived, but the water was only four inches deep.

"I think it was on its first job."

The incident happened shortly after 10.30pm.

Today, a West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the dog had escaped with a bruised leg and a broken claw.

It had been tracking the driver of a stolen Renault Megane who had fled after the vehicle crashed at traffic lights at the King's Road junction.