Vic man and dog rescued from sinking tinny

An elderly man and his dog have had a lucky escape after their tinny started taking on water off Victoria's coast.

A passing boat rescued the 75-year-old man one kilometre off the coast of Altona on Wednesday morning, but his pooch was left on board, police said.

Water police were called in to tow the boat back to shore; the dog was found alive and well on the stricken vessel.