A DOG that got stuck in a rabbit warren 4ft underground has been rescued with the help of a ferret.

Ferrets and terriers usually do not get on and people who own both are advised not to leave them alone together because they are prone to fight.

But when Jenny, a Lakeland terrier, got stuck down a rabbit hole, it was Freddy, a ferret, who saved her.

He was electronically tagged and sent down the network of warrens to sniff out four-year-old Jenny.

Brian Kay, of Throckley, Newcastle, who owns both animals, said Jenny vanished down the rabbit hole at about 10.40pm on Friday after becoming excited.

He said: "I had my three dogs out for a walk and she chased a rabbit into a field and down the hole. The other two dogs were barking at the hole, so I knew where she had gone."

Freddy was tagged and sent into the labyrinth. Mr Kay was then able to locate the signal and advise firefighters where to dig.

Trevor McCarthy, the officer in charge of the case, said: "The ferret reached a dead end, so we knew there was some kind of obstruction and, sure enough, the dog was there and we got her out.

"She was dehydrated but after about 20 minutes and a drink of water she was OK. Without a doubt, Freddy has got to be the hero of the hour.

"It is certainly the first rescue of something alive that I have put down to a ferret, rather than the special tools we use."