A hero resident climbed down a steep bank to rescue a stray dog stranded in a reservoir in Thailand.

Passerby Alex Phongsakorn was with his friend when he saw the animal clinging to the muddy edge of the water, wary and shaking in Chiang Mai province on November 24.

The lad then carefully descended the rocky slopes and reached for the animal as it could barely move from exhaustion.

Footage shows the hero local climbing down and pulling the dog. He took off his shirt and wrapped it around the creature before carrying him to safety.

Alex, who recorded the rescue, said: ‘The dog was too weak to move. He might have been down there for several hours until we passed by.

‘He wasn't making a sound we just saw him. He was very tired and hungry.'

Alex and his friends took the animal home with them where they fed and cleaned him up.

They gave the dog a place to rest in their home. Alex said they will take care of the dog until they find a loving new home for him.

He said: ‘I hope we can find a new family for the dog soon but he can stay here as much as he likes.'