*WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT*
A heroic dog has suffered severe burns after helping to save four people from a fire in a hospice.
The brave dog, named Matilda, barked to alert her owner about the blaze, before running into the burning building in the Leningrad region of Russia.
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The devastating video above shows her licking her wounds while she is being treated by vets.
After raising the alarm, the pregnant pooch then passed out from the carbon monoxide, before suffering horrific burns from the fire.
With all four residents of the private hospice taken to safety, poor Matilda was only saved later, having sustained her injuries.
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Volunteers Elena Kalinina and Alexander Tsinkevich rescued the animal.
A report states that the dog 'cries and trembles in pain, but heroically endures everything'.
Animal campaigners at the Vasilek shelter in St Petersburg are hoping to save the dog, who has suffered excruciating burns all over her body.
In a statement, the shelter said: "Matilda's face, neck and abdomen were severely burned.
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"She was checked by a fertility specialist who looked at her for a very long time and carefully studied the puppies.
"They are all alive and developing well.
"Now it is impossible to understand the number of babies she is carrying, since she is a big dog."
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When Matilda, who is known as Motya in the shelter, gives birth, she won't be able to feed her babies because of her injuries.
The hospice owner said they are unable to take care of Matilda because of their injuries.
Featured Image Credit: East2West NewsTopics: Dog, World News, Animals, Russia