Dogsey

A Jack Russell from Aldbrough who became stuck after chasing a rat down a 23 cm wide drainage tunnel has been rescued after five days. Although her survival seemed unlikely as time went by, a collaborative rescue effort ended in her being found alive.

Jess, who is at least eight years of age, was out with her owner when she spotted the rat and gave chase. After a few hours Jess' owner, Chris Lancaster, realised that the dog was stuck. A combined rescue effort involving the Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, the RSPCA, Hornsea Inshore Rescue and villagers swung into action, but despite the use of heat seeking equipment and cameras being put down the 600m pipe, 5 feet under the ground, Jess could not be located. As each day passed, Mrs Lancaster began to fear that Jess would not survive.

After five days, a decision was made to dig into a chamber at the end of the pipe and Jess was finally found in a sump. It appears she may have drunk water that had collected there, ensuring her survival. Thin, and suffering from cuts and grazes, she was initially rigid and unable to walk when she was pulled out.

Mrs Lancaster, whose husband died ten years ago in an explosion while he was smoking rats from their holes, says she hates rats now and has vowed not to let Jess off the lead again.