The fireman gives the dog Martha a home after the death of the owner

A Cornwall firefighter who adopted a dog he helped save says he is “completely at home” with her new family.

The terrier was found locked in a house, along with the body of her deceased owner.

James Trounson offered to take care of the dog, who was named Martha, and officially adopted her.

Now the pair has become inseparable.

Mr Trounson, who was one of the firefighters apprehended, said: “We don’t know the circumstances and unfortunately how long the lady has been dead but she’s obviously a strong dog and somehow managed to hold on.

“It took me a few tries to get her to come to me, but after a bit of coaxing, she literally jumped into my arms and hasn’t left my side since.”

After the Martha Terrier received a clean bill of health from a local vet, Mr Trounson offered to take her in as a companion for his other dog, Merlin the Collie.

“He’s completely at home with us and he’s a happy dog,” he said.

“She’s here on the farm, riding the tractor like it’s second nature to her, she’s completely taken with our surroundings.

“She comes to work with me, spends the whole day with me on a construction site, no problem.”

Mr Trounson is a retained firefighter at Mullion Community Fire Station but helps cover Helston during his working week.