A DOG was rescued by firefighters following a six-day ordeal trapped in a badger sett in Burley.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service were called out by the RSCPA on October 26 to help rescue Lucy, a wire haired Dachshund, from the sett at Heaven’s Gate in Shoot Wood.

Two days previously, John and Janet West had been walking their five-year-old pet with two other dogs when she disappeared into a badger sett. After unsuccessful attempts to coax her out they alerted the fire and rescue service and New Forest Keeper Howard Taylor for assistance.

The sett was twice checked by animal rescue specialists but no sign of the dog was found.

Then, three days after the dog vanished, New Forest Keeper Matthew Davies confirmed he had heard the dog barking and a licence was granted by Natural England so the sett could be disturbed. Using specialist echo location equipment and a mini-digger, Lucy was finally rescued and reunited with her relieved owners shortly after midday on Friday.

A spokesman for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said that any animal that is trapped or in distress can be potentially dangerous and warned it is important for people to call in the service rather than to attempt any rescues themselves.