This is the dramatic moment a stray dog was spotted clinging to the side of a river before being rescued by passersby in China.

Footage shows a man in a black sweater attempting to save the drowning white pooch, who had become stranded in the water in Shanghai.

He can be seen placing poles to allow the hapless canine to grab them, but the dog failed to cling to them on December 3.

He then resorted to using a step ladder to help prevent the dog from further drowning.

Moments later, another passerby in a brown leather jacket assisted the first man by holding the ladder.

This prompted the kind-hearted man to climb down the steps and grab the animal by its scruff.

He lifted the soaking wet animal to help it climb over the railing.

The dog did not sustain any serious injuries in the incident.

The filmer said: 'Thumbs up to this young man! He lives on our side of the river and saw a dog struggling in the water on the opposite bank, barking frantically. He rode his electric bike alone, risking being late for work, to go and rescue it. Later, with the help of the man in the brown shirt, he finally succeeded in saving the dog from the water.

'The dog was incredibly lucky to have run into this kind young man; otherwise, it would have either frozen or drowned in the icy river today. Let's give this young man a thumbs up. Good people will be rewarded!'