A beloved pet has finally been rescued from a sewage pipe after a three day operation involving at least a dozen rescuers, a special drain camera and a JCB.
Spencer the Spaniel became stuck in a pipe in Tilsley Park in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, while chasing a rabbit on Saturday.
A team of a dozen people from Thames Water finally managed to free him today after spending more than 12 hours at the scene.
Removing the tarmac, digging the hole and cutting away the pipe before freeing Spencer took the team more than three hours in total.
Workers from the fire brigade were also involved in trying to save the pooch at various points over the weekend, and inspectors from the RSPCA visited to look over the dog after he was freed.
The dog has since been safely reunited with his owners James and Kat Athey who are delighted to have their pet back.
Kat Athey is delighted to be reunited with Spencer the spaniel after he was trapped in a pipe underground for three days
The rescue operation ended today when diggers in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, dug up the tarmac to get to the 30cm pipe where he was stuck
Mrs Athey told the Oxford Mail: ‘It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, we’re so glad to have him back safe.
‘We now want to get him to the vets and back home. We’re so glad he’s okay, thank you to everyone.’
Mr Athey said that the couple’s three sons, Jacob, eight, Alex, six, and Theo, one, have all missed Spencer terribly during his ordeal which captured the hearts of local residents.
Mrs Athey posted about her dog’s plight on Facebook where hundreds of people have commented to say they are thankful her pooch is back home safe again.
One wrote: ‘I couldnt sleep last night thinking about this little boy! What amazing news!’
Another added: ‘Omg reading this gave me goosebumps and a feeling of terror. But so very very glad a happy ending.’
The rescue mission was particularly difficult because no one could see exactly where Spencer had ended up, so workers used a special camera to locate the pooch
Mrs Athey said: ‘It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, we’re so glad to have him back safe. We now want to get him to the vets and back home. We’re so glad he’s okay, thank you to everyone’
The rescue mission was particularly difficult because no one could see exactly where Spencer had ended up in the pipe which is just 30cm wide.
Rescuers had to use a special camera to locate the canine before digging could begin.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service spent the weekend trying to help the dog but left early this morning after it was clear they could not help further, Oxfordshire County Council spokeswoman Catarina Walsh confirmed.
Thames Water were also called to the scene to help but discovered that the sewer was owned privately rather than by the company which made working out where Spencer had ended up more difficult.
A spokesperson for Thames Water said: ‘We’re delighted we were able to use our equipment and expertise to help free Spencer from the private sewer and reunite him with his owner. We hope he gets lots of treats and makes a full recovery from his experience.’
The pooch climbed into the pipe here and got stuck underground within it. A RSPCA inspector was on hand to make sure Spencer was okay
He said: ‘I’m here to make sure the dog is okay when he comes out. There’s water in the pipe so hopefully he won’t be too dehydrated’
RSPCA Inspector Jamie Godfrey was also on hand to help in the aftermath of the rescue.
He said: ‘I’m here to make sure the dog is okay when he comes out. There’s water in the pipe so hopefully he won’t be too dehydrated.’
Workers were given permission to dig up the AstroTurf pitch by Abingdon School who own the site earlier today.
Mr Athey said: ‘It’s amazing how many people have joined in to help and Abingdon School has done everything it possibly can.’
James Athey said that the couple’s three sons, Jacob, eight, Alex, six, and Theo, one, have all missed Spencer terribly during his ordeal
Mr Athey said: ‘It’s amazing how many people have joined in to help and Abingdon School has done everything it possibly can’
Rescue workers had to use a special camera to locate the dog within the pipe (pictured: a snap from the camera)