A MISCHIEVOUS Jack Russell puppy sparked a rescue operation involving vets and the fire and rescue service after becoming stuck in a garden waste incinerator lid.
Amari was taken to Westway Vets in Consett by owner Lesley Clark after the playful six-month-old pup poked her head through the heavy metal lid from an incinerator used for burning refuse and garden waste – and ended up wearing it like a giant collar.
Vet Tom Yalland and veterinary nurses Tyler Brady and Hannah Cameron tried to gently ease the lid off the tiny puppy, who was wagging her tail and lapping up all the attention.
After they were unable to remove it, they called for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service for their help. Members of the fire and rescue team cut through the metal after the veterinary team sedated Amari to keep her calm and safe in case she became frightened by the noise.
With Hannah monitoring Amari’s heart while under sedation and Tyler placing an intravenous catheter while manoeuvring her own head under the lid, firefighters initially tried to remove it using pliers, before using a hand-held cutter to release the patient.
Fortunately, Amari was not hurt by the metal lid, with no injuries or swelling.
Now Westway Vets in Consett, is highlighting the danger of garden equipment to pet owners, and urging them to keep cats and dogs away from anything that could pose a danger. The practice has previously seen a cat with a plastic pipe around its neck and a dog with a metal clip hooked to its paw.
Veterinary nurse Hannah said: “We couldn’t quite believe our eyes when Amari came in wearing the incinerator bin lid as when her owner called the practice we at first assumed it was perhaps a plastic kitchen swing bin. Jack Russells are such a curious breed and love getting into mischief as they are so inquisitive. We would encourage owners to be cautious about incinerator bin lids in case this happens to their dog.
“It was a great team effort between ourselves and three members of the fire and rescue team. We were able to keep Amari still and calm under sedation while they worked on freeing her with the metal cutters.”
Fellow nurse Tyler added: “Amari was so sweet as, bless her heart, she was really excited when she arrived at the practice and seemed to have no idea what was stuck on her head.”
Owner Lesley Clark, who lives in Chopwell, Gateshead, said she believed strong winds had blown the old bin lid, which is no longer in use, across her garden and Amari had gone to investigate before getting herself trapped.
Miss Clark said: “It was so traumatic as it just wouldn’t budge and I couldn’t manoeuvre Amari out as it was too tight, but the whole time she was wagging her tail. The teams from Westway and the fire and rescue were absolutely fantastic. I certainly don’t have any more bin lids in the garden and I just want other owners to be aware of what can happen.”