A three month old chocolate Labrador pup called Ted had a lucky escape today thanks to Hampshire Fire and Rescue’s specialist Animal Rescue service.

At 14:13 today [Wednesday, 28 November] control operators at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service received a request for assistance after an adventurous puppy’s head had become firmly wedged in a metal watering can whilst playing in a back garden.

At the time of the incident the puppy’s owner, Mrs. Jackie Paterson, was at work and her mother was dog-sitting.  Animal Rescue Advisor, Watch Manager Anton Phillips, was mobilised from the Rural Safety Team’s base at Lyndhurst Fire Station to the address in Portsmouth Road, Lee-on-the-Solent, to rescue the young Labrador.

A true team effort involving Mrs. Paterson and her mother enabled Watch Manager Phillips to cut away the watering can using bolt cutters, after initial attempts to free Ted using a hacksaw blade had failed.

He explained: “This was quite an unusual call, but so far this year we’ve already rescued dogs from storm drains, ornamental walls and pots! On this occasion, the watering can fitted like a glove around Ted’s head and great care had to be taken to keep the pet calm.  Ted’s owner did a superb job in helping to placate him, so I could concentrate on the rescue effort whilst taking care to avoid injuring the distressed pup.  Having lost so much oxygen with his head firmly wedged in the watering can undoubtedly sedated Ted somewhat during the rescue operation.  Thankfully we were able to swiftly release Ted’s head and he bounded away safely from his ordeal with no ill effects.”

Mrs. Paterson expressed her gratitude to Hampshire Fire and Rescue.  She said: “The service provided was first-class.  Having contacted the veterinary surgery, we were at a total loss as to what to do.  We were therefore most grateful for the swift response of Hampshire Fire and Rescue and the expert assistance of Watch Manager Phillips.”

An increased public awareness of the animal rescue service provided by Hampshire Fire and Rescue has undoubtedly led to an increase in the number of calls to this type of incident, which is very positive because an early response means the animal becomes far easier to rescue – contributing significantly to the Service’s goal of Making Hampshire Safer.

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