FIREFIGHTERS dug through rocks and into a fox's lair to rescue a trapped dog in a three-and-a-half-hour long rescue operation. 

It happened at Low Wood Nature Reserve in Riddlesden, Keighley, yesterday.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: JasperJasper

They were called to the scene at around 1.15pm.

Specialist technical rescue teams managed to locate Jasper the spaniel using camera equipment, before they dug through the rocks and into the fox hole to reach him.

"A firefighter then crawled in under the rocks and once they had hold of the dog – both were pulled out," a West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said.

"Jasper the spaniel was none the worse for his ordeal and was passed to a very grateful owner.

"This was a very labour intensive rescue carried out by Cleckheaton Specialist Rescue Team – the rescue took approximately 3-and-a-half hours from time of call."

Incident commander Ronnie Goldwater said: "At 1pm I was mobilised to reports of a dog, Jasper, trapped underground. 

"I meet the owner and the dog was trapped off the beaten track 20 minutes from Riddlesden scout camp 

"On seeing the predicament Jasper was in, it was obvious this would be a long labour intensive task to bring Jasper out and asked for assistance from our Technical Rescue Team at Cleckheaton.

"A plan was hatched and after digging access tunnels under a boulder where Jasper was trapped, a specialist camera was used to locate him.

"The camera showed an amazing picture of Jasper trapped in a chamber four metres inside and 2 metres down. Further digging enabled a firefighter to go underground and after removing more roots and rocks managed to grasp Jasper.

"What a brilliant end to an amazing rescue. I love a happy ending!  Well done to all involved, brilliant team work."