This is the dramatic moment a brave bystander reached into a fast-flowing river to save a drowning dog.

Locals spotted the hapless Labrador being swept away by a raging current in Hunan, China.

This prompted a barefooted woman to stand next to the bridge's substructure while holding a pole to retrieve the canine on June 20.

Footage shows the struggling pooch clinging to a plastic bottle with its mouth as it was carried downstream.

The quick-thinking rescuer then hooked the long stick around the dog's collar and managed to pull it back as onlookers watched anxiously.

The woman then lifted the soaking wet canine onto the ground and guided it to the steps where other residents were waiting.

Local media reported that the animal did not sustain any injuries from the incident.