Dog trapped underground for almost three days finally freed by firefighters

A terrified dog had to be rescued by firefighters after spending 60 hours stuck undergound.

The black and white dog darted into a badger's sett - a network of dens and tunnels where the animals live in groups - when walking with its owner in Coalville, North West Leicestershire.

The owner, who remains anonymous, spent almost three days worrying about her pet's safety before calling Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Services for help.

It is understood the dog became stuck inside the sett when it caved in around them. Badger setts are protected by law, making it more difficult to rescue an unlucky animal who falls in.

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Fire crews worked alongside the RSPCA to free the dog (Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service)

The dog has been reunited with its owner (Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service)

Assisted by the RSPCA, the fire crews used specialist listening and locating devices to find the trapped canine, reports LeicestershireLive.

The teams called in reinforcements to help with the digging shortly before 4pm on Tuesday - and managed to rescue the dog one hour later.

Shook up by everything it had been through, the dog laid still on the ground until it was reunited with its concerned owner.

It is thought the badger sett was inactive because no sign of any other animals were found at the scene.

The dog isn't the only one to have been rescued from harm's way in recent days (Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service)

It comes just days after a border terrier spent six days inside a badger sett in Rowde, Wilts, after dropping into it during a walk.

Owner Annie Davidson put out a missing dog appeal fearing her dog - named Bumble - might have climbed out when she was not there.

But then suddenly Bumble popped her head up like a whac-a-mole and she clambered to safety.

Annie said: We're so delighted to have Bumble back home. The experience was traumatic for her. Bumble popped up and out of the badger sett. Very thin and dehydrated but fine otherwise."

Elsewhere, a dog had to be rescued after getting stuck down a 22ft deep crevice on a mountain.

Reggie, an 11-month-old spaniel, has been branded a "little warrior" after he survived the fall at Llwynypia Mountain in the Clydach forest in Wales.

After being stuck for 34 hours, he was rescued and safely returned to his owners, who have said he is in "good spirits" despite his ordeal.

Do you have a dog story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.