A pensioner forgot her pet dog and its leash became trapped in closing lift doors - narrowly avoiding being crushed to death.

The pensioner walked out of the elevator while still holding the lead of the canine, which remained inside the machine in Anhui, China, on July 4.

Footage shows the door closing with the rope attached to the furry creature still outside.

Moments later, the platform moved downward, causing the animal to be dragged upwards.

Fortunately, the leash snapped and the pet dropped to the lift flood unharmed by the near miss.

The pet owner said that as soon as she realised her dog was trapped inside the lift, she first ran home to fetch a pair of scissors. She then discovered the dog at the ground floor lobby being looked after by the security guard.