Dog rescued from 6ft hole in frozen ground

A dog owner has thanked a team of firefighters that helped rescue his terrier which had become trapped underground in freezing temperatures.

The dog, called Branston, got stuck in the hole on a farm in Old Woodhall, near Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire, after being let out of the house late on Monday night.

His owner, David Benton, said he tried to dig him out but, because the ground was frozen, he called Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.

A crew from Woodhall Spa used thermal imaging cameras to find Branston 6ft (1.8m) underground.

Mr Benton said: "I could just hear him barking down this deep hole.

"I was distraught.

"We didn't know if we were going to get him or not because the ground was so frozen.

"He was quite loud at first but, as the hours went by, he got quieter and I could tell he was getting tired."

Mr Benton said he tried to dig for two hours before calling the emergency services just after midnight.

He said: "The fire crew came from Woodhall Spa and took a look at the situation. They said 'we're not going home until that dog is with us.'"

One-year-old Branston was stuck underground for about three hours before he was rescued, according to Mr Benton.

"We just used picks and shovels and anything we could get our hands on," he said.

"After a couple of hours it was like a mole popping up. His head came out from the hole and the fireman pulled him clear.

"I felt ecstatic when he came out."

Mr Benton said he wanted to thank the crew from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.

"They really saved Bran's life," he said.

"Living in an isolated place, pets like Branston really are an integral part of the family."

Ian Draper, watch manager at Woodhall Spa, said:

"After the recent cold weather the ground was extremely hard which made digging the dog out a challenge, but we were delighted that this shaggy dog story had a happy ending."

Branston has been recovering at home since the rescue and Mr Benton said he would be keeping a close eye on him.

"I'll be keeping him on the lead for a while. I won't have a wife if I don't," he said.

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