A terrified woman and her dog were trapped in a canal for 18 hours after becoming stuck.

After taking her dog for a walk, the owner let her pet off the leash, which proved to be a fatal mistake when the animal jumped into the canal and she attempted her own rescue mission.

After being trapped in a canal for nearly 18 hours, a distraught woman and her terrified dog escaped.

The rescue mission in Arizona, US, was captured on police bodycam footage, which shows a small group of officers working together to save the couple.

Last week, a woman was walking her dog when she let go of the leash, completely unaware of the nearby canal.

When she noticed the pup couldn’t get out of the canal, she went in to help him and became stuck as well.

The pair were rescued around noon the next day after a conductor on a passing train noticed someone in “distress” and immediately dialled 911.

However, while attempting to pull the woman from the water, the police strap snapped.

A long dog lead was then used to make a loop, which was then lassoed around the woman in an attempt to pull her to safety.

The woman was taken to a nearby hospital, but neither she nor the dog are believed to have suffered serious injuries.