A FISH called Wanda had a lucky escape when it leapt from the safety of its pond at Ringwood - and ended up in jaws.

The jaws belonged to Staffordshire bull terrier - a breed not noted for its gentle nature - who took the stranded fish to her owner Tim Kay.

Tim, 30, who is paralysed, was able to get his carer to put the wayward fish, a mirror carp, safely back in the pond in the garden of his home in Poplar Way.

He said the dog, a 10-year-old bitch called Bobbie who has had two litters of pups, used her maternal instincts to lick the fish to keep it alive.

"Everyone I have spoken to has said they have never heard anything like this happening before," said Tim.

"These dogs have such a bad reputation, but this shows it is not always deserved."

He added: "It is not the first time this fish has jumped out of the pond, and it is always the same one, which is why I called it Wanda."

"The first time it managed to wriggle back into the pond; another time it got stuck but one of my carers found it and put it back.

"This time Bobbie picked it up and brought it to me."

First published: September 22