This is the heartwarming moment a family saved an injured stray dog from drowning in a dirty canal in Thailand.

Pairin Boonkumjun and her sister were walking alongside the brownish body of water when they saw the creature fighting to stay afloat in Phetchaburi province on October 21.

The locals rushed to climb down the steps and pulled the exhausted dog that appeared to have difficulty using his hind legs.

Footage shows the housewife reaching for the dog in the muddy water while calling for help.

Pairin said: ‘The water was not that deep but the dog could not walk up the slope. It was almost drowning in the water and could only use its front limbs. We felt so sorry for him.'

Upon checking, the dog's hind legs were reddish from an injury but Pairin said they don't know how the creature was hurt.

She said: ‘He could have fallen, but we're not sure how he was hurt.'

Pairin and her sister took the dog with them home to clean and feed. Pairin added they would take the creature to a vet for a health check.

She said: ‘The dog is at our house recovering. He is doing well, and we hope to have him checked by a vet.'