MEET Jasper the hero blood donor dog.

Jasper, a shorthaired German pointer, was called into action when 10-month-old collie Tess ate a rat contaminated with warfarin a rat poison that causes internal bleeding.

Tess was hours away from death and her distraught owners were told they would lose her unless she had an urgent blood transfusion.

Tess required a blood transfusion after eating a rat contaminated with warfarin.

The only pet blood bank in the UK is in Leicestershire and there wasn’t enough time to get the blood to the North-east to save her.

Staff at Donview Veterinary Surgery in Inverurie called upon vet nurse Louise Yule, who runs Halfpenny Farm Animal Sanctuary at Clovenstone, near Kintore, with her partner Mike, for advice on any dogs she knew that could help.

And five-year-old Jasper, who the couple rescued and now lives with them, was rushed to help.

Thanks to Jasper, Tess is now back to full health to the delight of owners Ann and Peter Thorp, of Methlick.