The terrified dog was unable to free itself – until firefighters came to the rescue (Picture: BPM Media)

A young dog has been rescued after it plummeted several feet into a culvert.

The pet was left shivering in cold water while the alarm was raised on Whitehouse Avenue in Loughborough.

It had plummeted down the culvert – a tunnel which streams water – on Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters and RSPCA staff were mobilised to come to the dog’s aid and arrived on scene around 2.45pm.

It is estimated it fell around eight-feet into the culvert.

The terrified dog was unable to free itself, so rescuers began to carefully reach out to the animal.

With delicate work, the fire service confirmed the dog was safely rescued and given ‘immediate comfort and warmth’.

Photos from the scene have now showed the extent of the rescue effort, with fire crews seen using a series of ladders to reach the trapped dog before finally freeing it.

A ladder was used to reach the stricken pup (Picture: LFRS/BPMMedia)

The dog was subsequently handed over to Woodside RSPCA Animal Centre who would reunite the chilly four-legged friend with their owner.

In a statement, Castle Donington Fire Station said: ‘When we reached the scene, our hearts sank as we found the dog shivering in the cold water running through the culvert.

‘It was clear that the poor pup had been there for quite some time. So with immense care and help from the Woodside RSPCA Animal Centre and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Loughborough Station we carefully extricated the dog from the culvert, providing immediate comfort and warmth.

It is estimated that the dog fell around eight-feet into the culvert (Picture: LFRS/BPMMedia)

‘With RSPCA assistance we made sure that this brave little soul was reunited with its owner.’

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the incident was declared over by 3.20pm.

The rescue mission led to crews to call on dog owners to be safe around any kind of water.

Castle Donington Fire Station added: ‘We encourage everyone to ensure that their pets are microchipped and never follow them into water. Call the emergency services.’

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The terrified dog was unable to free itself.