Rescue dog saved by firefighters

Kent firefighters are hailing the early success of their new all terrain vehicle after it helped rescue a puppy from a 30 foot hole.

The vehicle was used for the first time near Chartham on Wednesday, getting firefighters and equipment to a ploughed field on the edge of a wooded copse where Brody, a 15-month-old puppy red setter retriever, was trapped.

He had been missing since Saturday.

Crews set up a pulley system to retrieve Brody and used specialist equipment to go into the hole, putting the puppy into a harness to bring him to the surface.

Station Manager Russ Jones said: “It was smiles all round when Brody was brought up to safe ground.”

Brody’s owner, Charles Willson, added: “He was a rescue dog and we’ve only had him for a short while, so we were devastated when he went missing. We are thrilled and incredibly grateful to Kent Fire and Rescue Service for helping us get him back.

“We’ve taken him to the vets this morning, who have said he’s fine and just needs a good meal or two and a rest but he’s very happy to be home.”