This is the heartwarming moment a brave teenager climbed down into a canal to save a stranded puppy.

The youngster heard the scared pooch barking for help when it was unable to clamber up the steep concrete sides of the man-made drainage ditch leading to a reservoir in Caloocan city, the Philippines on July 29.

With heavy rain in the area, the animal faced being washed away with the deluges at any point. With no time to spare, the boy then crossed the stream and carried the puppy to safety.

Neighbour Juntilla Jadeen said: ‘The boy and my son saw the dog crying on the canal. Then his friend climbed down to rescue the stray dog. He's brave because it's a dangerous canal.'

The pooch was unhurt and has now been adopted by his rescuer's family.