New Zealand dogs taught how to drive

Rescue dogs in New Zealand are being taught how to drive.

Three pooches - Monty, a giant schnauzer; Ginny, a whippet cross; and Porter, an old beardie cross - are being trained in the skill by animal rescue charity The New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which is aiming to show people how clever the canines are and why they deserve new homes.

The dogs have been shown how to accelerate, change gear and steer a motor, but animal trainer Mark Vette revealed the pooches have already picked up some bad driving habits which nearly resulted in an unfortunate incident.

He explained: "A couple of days ago the car was going too fast, the trainer nearly got run over."