'Protect pets from floodwaters'

Advice to pet owners has been issued in the light of the recent flooding by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

The society says it has been called out to help rescue horses, dogs and cats trapped by rising floodwaters.

It says that owners should move horses and other grazing pets from low-lying areas to higher ground if they think there is any risk they will be put in danger by flooding and provide adequate shelter, food and fresh water.

Owners should check their pets regularly to ensure they are not in danger, a spokesperson for the charity said.

Dave Millard, regional superintendent for the RSPCA said: "We usually receive most calls 24 hours after heavy rain, so we're on standby in case anyone needs our help.

"It can be tricky to reach trapped animals - but we'll do our best.

The Environment Agency constantly updates its flood alerts for people who live in a vulnerable zone and any other area it thinks is at risk.

Hollywood dog to the rescue

The pet dog of a famous Hollywood actress became the star herself when she rescued her owner from a dangerous situation.

Diva, the pet pooch of Desperado and Frida star Salma Hayek, alerted her owner to a gas leak at their home on the same day as the Golden Globes awards ceremony.

According to Us Weekly, Salma told the Insider: "I had a headache and went to lie down when Diva woke me up grabbing my sleeve in her mouth and trying to pull me out of the house. Then I realised the gas was on!"

The actress has attributed the fact that she was at the Globes, where her latest TV show, Ugly Betty, picked up the Best Series Award, to the fact that Diva was on hand to save her life.

Diva becomes the second pet to become a hero in 2007, following the news earlier this month that Timmy, a tabby cat from Australia, became a feline smoke detector to alert his family to a house fire.