Hero dog ‘Digby’ saves woman from taking her own life on M5 motorway bridge in Exeter

A three-year-old Australian Labradoodle called Digby is being fussed over online, after he helped save a woman’s life on Tuesday 15 June.

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said that the crossbreed stopped her from jumping from a motorway bridge over the M5 near Exeter.

Emergency services had been trying to persuade the woman to move away from the railings, but she only agreed to do so after spotting Digby.

Anything is paw-sible

Digby, a “defusing dog”, who helps crews who have been exposed to trauma, was brought to the scene after police couldn’t get through to the woman. He immediately piqued her interest, and she agreed to come back from the railings to meet him properly. She is now in the care of mental health professionals, and the services wished her all the best in her recovery.

Give a dog a bone

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service shared the story on its Twitter page, and the thread has now been liked 25,000 times and reshared by 6,400 people.

A rare breed

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said Digby’s role in the situation was “amazing”, and one person commented on the Twitter thread: “Amazing work from everyone involved in the response, including Digby, but especially the team member who thought to get Digby on the scene! Dogs are magic.”

Dogged determination

Digby was brought into Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service aged just four months in 2018. As a “defusing dog” he helps firefighters process traumatic incidents and reduce the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His handler Matt believed he would be the first therapy dog to support firefighters during the defusing process.