HERO firefighters and council officers ensured that Mini - a 14-year-old terrier - was able to spend Christmas at home with her family after she became trapped inside a pipe in Carlton.

At 11am last Monday, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue contacted Barnsley Council to request assistance with a dog-related incident.

Firefighters were already on scene at Carlton Marsh Nature Reserve attempting to free Mini who had managed to get herself stuck inside a one-foot pipe.

The council’s highways department attended and supported the fire service with equipment to help Mini who had been trapped for hours.

One of those who helped to save the terrier was Joe Dolman.

He told the Chronicle: “I was in the office doing a bit of work when we got a request for some help from the fire service.

“They were asking if we had any drainage equipment that might be able to help rescuing a dog that was stuck in a pipe.

“I came out with a camera that we usually use for surveying drains and met them.

“They were digging and there was one entrance that was covered and another that was buried because it was underneath an old railway embankment where tracks would run over it.

“I pushed it through seven or eight metres and then I could see the dog because her eyes were flashing.”

But despite finally thinking they had made a breakthrough, Mini began to shy away from the camera.

Thankfully, after around three hours of being trapped inside she finally made her way out.

Joe added: “I could see her moving about but when the camera got closer she started to shy away from it.

“I saw her turn around so we just kept pushing and pushing.

“She eventually popped out of the other side.

“I think she was in there for probably three hours.

“The fire service had had a few ideas but they couldn’t act on them because they didn’t know exactly where she was.

“She was stuck in the deepest part of the pipe so a good few feet down and to access her was hard work.

“It was getting to be a bit desperate but thankfully she came out.”

It’s certainly not Joe’s day job and not something he ever expected to do but, as a dog owner himself, he admits he was relieved to see Mini return safely.

He added: “At highways we get roped into a few different things.

“We can get into all sorts but this was definitely a first for me.

“We do get keys from drains and stuff like that but rescuing a dog is very different.

“I’ve got two dogs myself so I certainly wouldn’t have liked to have been in that position.

“The owner was a lot calmer than I would have been.

“There was some relief when we managed to get her out.”

Mini will now be looking forward to spending her 14th Christmas at home - and hopefully she’ll be staying away from pipes in the future.

Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and highways, said: “Thank you to the combined efforts of our team and colleagues from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, who were able to bring Mini the terrier safely back to her owner.

“A heartwarming reminder of how we come together to support our communities and their furry friends.”