Firefighters ended up caked in mud after rescuing a dog who had got stuck down a badger set in the pouring rain.
Crews were called to Chiswick House on Hogarth Lane in Chiswick to assist an owner in rescuing her pet pooch Rusty.
The Jack Russell-cross had been missing for more than three hours when crews were called in to help.
Sub Officer Lee Turner, who was at the scene, said there were a number of deep holes and it wasn’t clear which one he had gone down.
He said they could hear him but because the tunnels were in all different directions, they didn’t know where he was. They used a snake-eye camera to assist them in locating Rusty, and were eventually able to dig him out.
“He’d gone down there out of curiosity and then got to a point where he became wedged, upside-down and couldn’t get back out,” he said.
“It was very hard work and we got very wet and muddy but it was great when we found him and got him out.
“We would always encourage people to call the RSPCA in the first instance if they see an animal stuck or in distress.
“Firefighters love animals too and we are always happy to assist if our specialist equipment is required, as in this case.”
The Brigade was called at 1411 and the incident was over for firefighters by 1604. One fire engine from Chiswick Fire Station and a Fire Rescue Unit from Chelsea Fire Station attended.