Labrador saved in mouth-to-muzzle resuscitation

Rotorua's Andy Hope with Benson. Photo / Supplied

Eight-week-old labrador Benson has become the second mutt in the space of a few weeks to be brought back to life by mouth-to-muzzle resuscitation.

Andy Hope, a Rotorua District Council animal control officer, went beyond the call of duty by bringing the stray back to life.

Hope found Benson roaming in Western Heights and delivered it to the council's pound.

He later got a frantic call from fellow animal control officer Michelle Atkins, saying the puppy was choking after his afternoon feed.

"I went straight to the pound and tried to clear the puppy's airway by putting my fingers down his throat. When this didn't work I tried the Heimlich manoeuvre, without any luck," said Hope.

He took the dog to a vet, but on the way there realised Benson wasn't breathing - so he gave him mouth-to-mouth. "It was just one of those instinctive actions."

Named after Benson & Hedges cigarettes because of his "smoker's cough", the pup is now being monitored but needs a permanent home.

Last month, Nelson's Phill Urquhart saved his golden labrador Bayley, by breathing down his snout after he suffered a seizure.