Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Pup survives being flushed down toilet

Monday 15 June 2009 10:32 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A week-old pup was recovering today after being accidentally flushed down the toilet.

The tiny cocker spaniel was trapped in a waste pipe for nearly four hours after Daniel Blair, four, decided he "needed a wash" and put him in a toilet before pulling the chain, the Daily Mirror revealed.

After frantic attempts to find the pet, drainage firm Dyno-Rod was called in and used specialist camera gear to locate him in a pipe 20 yards away from the house, in Northolt, Middlesex.

He was then plucked to safety.

The animal has since been named Dyno after his rescuers, who were contacted after members of fire brigade and RSPCA were unable to get him out.

Daniel's mother Alison, 40, said the pup's ordeal began after Daniel's twin brother Nicky took him out for a walk in the garden.

She told the Mirror: "Daniel told me it had got muddy so they put it in the toilet and pulled the chain to give it a wash. I ran to the bathroom but the dog was nowhere to be seen. I assumed it was dead.

"I went into the garden, managed to lift up the drain cover and was amazed to hear him crying."

Dyno-Rod man Will Craig, 22, from Harrow in Middlesex, was eventually called in, admitting he thought it was a wind-up at first.

But after arriving at the scene he used camera gear to find the dog and gently nudge him towards a manhole cover and safety.

Mr Craig told the paper: "At first I didn't want to do it because I was scared of hurting the dog. But the RSPCA said I was his only hope. Eventually I pushed him far enough for the firemen to grab."

Cheering broke out after the rescue was completed, he added.

Distraught Daniel said he was "so, so sorry" about flushing Dyno down the toilet, vowing: " I won't do it again".

This article is from The Belfast Telegraph

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in