A dog with a phobia of water made waves after ending up almost a mile out to sea on his own.

Demetris the Blue Heeler found himself in deep water after becoming separated from his family in Whitstable this afternoon.

His owner, Mark Kelley, described the moment he got loose as "any owner's worst nightmare".

He said: "We were just walking down the street and he saw another dog, and before I knew it he had wrenched free of the lead, he nearly took my arm out of my shoulder!

"He went over the road to the other dog, and nearly got hit by a bus - that spooked him and he legged it."

Mr Kelley, who was visiting the seaside town on holiday with his partner Cath, desperately searched the town for the furry fugitive.

Unbeknownst to them, Demetris had been spotted running onto the beach and made his way out towards the oyster cages.

Mr Kelley said: "Several people told me there was a dog that was sitting on the oyster cages in the water, and I didn't believe them at first.

"We're pretty sure he ran out there when it was low tide, so it was sort of half-running, half-swimming that he would have done.

"I must admit I dismissed them at first because, the thing is, he hates water.

"He absolutely tip-toes over wet grass and doesn't like swimming, we brought him down to the beach to try and acclimatise him!"

Luckily for the aquaphobic hound, an attentive beachgoer spotted him circling in the water, forced off the traps by the rising tide.

"He's a very lucky dog..."

He was picked up by Steve Barnes, the skipper at Whitstable Boat Trips.

Mr Barnes said: "We were just coming back from a seal trip when a lady called our office to say that we had just gone past a dog that was in distress just beyond the oyster lines.

"Luckily, we were able to pinpoint exactly where he was and swing back and find him.

"He had got himself disoriented and was paddling in circles and looking very upset.

"He's a very lucky dog all things considered, but we're just happy that it had a positive ending and that he's alright."

Demetris has now been reunited with his family, and is making a swift recovery.

Mr Kelley said: "We had him checked out by the vet and other than feeling sorry for himself he's unharmed.

"It could have been so much worse and we honestly can't thank everyone involved enough.

"From everyone on the beach who told us about him being out there, to the Whitstable Boat Trips team, they were all fantastic".

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