A cafe owner and her staff rescued a dog that had fallen into a river during a rainy day in southern China.

Video filmed in the city of Deyang in Sichuan Province on August 23, shows a man attempting to use a basket to retrieve a dog trapped in a river but failed.

He then tied a tyre to a rope and floated it out to the water. Showing incredible smarts, the dog appeared to understand the intention, swam over, and clung to the tyre. Cheering from the riverbank, the café team then successfully pulled the dog to safety.

According to the cafe owner Ms Ting, the dog is in good health.

The grateful pet initially left the scene post-rescue but, in a twist that melted hearts, returned a short while later, as if to express his gratitude.

The dog has been taken away by the owner who came looking for it.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

8月23日，四川德阳罗江区，一只狗狗下雨天不慎落入凯江中，在江边开咖啡馆的廷女士发现后，和几名店员对狗狗展开救援。一开始，大家打算用篮子把狗狗捞起来，但狗狗一直不愿往篮子里面钻。随后，大家用绳子绑了个轮胎放在了水面上，狗狗很聪明，看到后就游了过来，它像是明白了大家的意思，游了一圈后趴在了轮胎上，随后被大家一起拉上了岸。廷女士介绍，因救援及时，狗狗没事儿，很健康。狗狗很亲近人，本来获救后它自己走了，但一会儿又回来了。目前，狗狗已经被前来寻找的主人领走。