Arkansas cops save hanging dog after shoplifting collar

A pair of cops who had just collared a suspected thief in the US found themselves saving the life of a dog hanging by its leash moments after the arrest.

Sergeant Jason Legleiter and Officer Wade Hammond had just clapped an alleged shoplifter at an Arkansas Walmart on Friday (local time) when one of the supermarket's employees informed them the pup was in trouble.

The animal appeared lifeless when they found it swinging from the door of a large red truck in the North Summit carpark, but Legleiter and Hammond weren't prepared to give up.

Legleiter severed the leash with his field knife, and Hammond proceeded to massage the pup's lungs while it lay motionless on the ground, the City Police Department reported on its Facebook page.

The dog slowly regained consciousness and was eventually strong enough to stand on its feet.

The police department says it will be up to the district prosecutor to decide whether or not charges will be laid over the incident.