MAX the dog was gasping for breath with a choke chain getting tighter round his neck -- and his owner could only watch helplessly.

Teresa Stringer could do nothing as her pet was being strangled by his sister. The more she tried to help, the worse Max became.

So she called out Farnworth's firefighters -- whom she described as "my heroes" after they saved Max's life.

Firefighters cut free Max, a German Shepherd dog, after he became caught in a terrifying tangle with his sister Molly.

She was accidentally strangling Max after getting her foot stuck in his choke chain.

Teresa rang 999 from her home in Medlock Close, Farnworth, and firefighters answered the call.

They calmed Teresa down and cut the two dogs free with a pair of bolt cutters.

Now grateful Teresa wants to thank the firefighters who rescued her dogs -- and saved their lives.

Teresa said: "I had just gone to the RSPCA in Salford to pick up some tablets for one of my dogs, and when I got home I heard a whimper.

"Somehow Molly had got her foot stuck in Max's chain and Max was gasping for breath.

"I tried to free Molly's foot but the more I tried the more distressed Max got.

"I just panicked and didn't know what to do, so I called 999.

"The firemen were fantastic, they saw how upset I was.

"I cannot thank them enough for saving my two dogs."

Teresa said both Max and Molly were recovering at home after their ordeal.

Geoff Sidlow, leading firefighter at Farnworth, said: "I think Teresa was more distressed than the dogs when we arrived.

"We had to calm her down as well as cut the animals free.

"The dog with the collar round its neck would certainly have died if we hadn't got there.

"Helping in those situations makes the job worthwhile."

CLOSE CALL: Teresa Stringer holds her German Shepherd dogs Molly (left) and Max after their ordeal