Dogsey

A puppy whose head became trapped in the mechanism of a reclining settee at his home in Meldreth, Herts, was unhurt after being freed by firemen from Royston.

Barney, a 21-week-old bichon frise, was sitting between owners Jenny and Dave Bone. He was held on his lead by Jenny Bone because “he is mischievous”. The owners both fell asleep and when Jenny Bone woke up, Barney had disappeared. When she moved, Mrs Bone heard a scream and the couple discovered Barney with his head stuck between the reclining mechanism. Dave Bone had to hold the pup's head so that Jenny could get out of the chair without hurting him. Realising that they couldn't get him out, they called the fire brigade, who managed to free Barney by using a hacksaw to saw through the metal frame.

Mrs Bone said that had she sat up more quickly on awakening, she believed she would have decapitated Barney. The couple said they hope that this incident will draw attention to the dangers of reclining chairs.