A young animal lover has been hailed a hero after helping save the life of her neighbours’ dog.

Erin Russell, who is just 11, knew exactly what to do when 11-month-old Poppy’s surgery scar burst open after undergoing a neutering operation.

The Strood Academy pupil, who has a spaniel of her own called Jimmy, realised Poppy needed to be bandaged around her middle to keep her wound together until her owner Natasha Hawley could get her to an emergency vet.

When Mrs Hawley did get her to the vet at the Newnham Court Veterinary Hospital in Maidstone, he told her if Poppy had not been bandaged up in the way she had, she probably would not have made it.

“When the vet examined her, he said doing that is what saved her life. It’s like Erin had no fear and was logical while I was panicking" - Natasha Hawley

Poppy, a bichon frise cavalier King Charles spaniel cross also known as a cavachon, is now recovering from her ordeal at her home in Allington Drive, Strood.

She has only been living in the Hawley household for the past six weeks after being rescued from an animal rehoming centre in another part of the county.

Mrs Hawley, 36, a mum of two boys, Aiden 12, and Rhys, eight, said: “I was just in a blind panic when I came home and saw all the blood over Poppy and on the floor.

“I had called Erin’s mum to come and help me and to find an emergency vet and Erin just said she knew what to do and did it.

“She went and got the bandages, they were special animal ones, and I got a bit of gauze and put it over the wound and she just wrapped it around her.

“When the vet examined her, he said doing that is what saved her life. It’s like Erin had no fear and was logical while I was panicking.

“She just took over even though we were saying it might not be the right thing to do. It’s such a relief. Poppy is now recovering as she had made such a difference to my family’s life.

“We were meant to get her. We looked hard for the right dog for us as my older son has special needs and Poppy has been such a therapy for him.

“They have really bonded in a short space of time and it would have been just awful and devastating if she had not made it. Erin is a very clever little girl and we are indebted to her.”

Erin, who has an older brother called Thomas and wants to be a police dog handler when she is older, said: “I just knew what to do as I go to dog shows with my auntie. I am really pleased Poppy is getting better now and I do feel quite proud of what I did.”

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