A MISCHIEVOUS dog with a love of going underground sparked a full-scale rescue operation when he refused to come back to the surface.

Ziggy the Patterdale terrier spent 19 hours in the dark after he disappeared down a drainpipe for a subterranean adventure near Ripon.

The ten-year-old dog’s worried owner Lauren Flintoft, contacted the RSPCA and the fire and rescue service after Ziggy went underground at a farm owned by her in-laws.

He had been had been out on a routine evening walk when he found the pipe and scampered down it.

Owner Lauren said: “This is the third time he’s been down a hole chasing something or following a scent.

“I was worried he might have been stuck and that’s why he didn’t appear. My husband Tim spent the whole night trying to entice him out and, when he didn’t emerge, I called in help.”

RSPCA animal collection officer Faebian Vann went to the scene to help with the efforts and the group managed to trace the underground pipes and used a digger to excavate two holes to try to get to the stricken pooch. Eventually, they dug enough clay and soil out so Ziggy could clamber out of the hole.

ACO Vann said: “Thankfully, Ziggy wasn’t injured, but he had got himself a little trapped in some clay. However, he eventually emerged and was, luckily, completely unscathed.

“He’s now back home with his owners where he belongs - and no doubt he’ll be getting up to no good again very soon.”

He added: “Dogs - particularly terriers like Ziggy - have a very strong natural chase instinct and can often disappear down holes following their noses or a rabbit.

“That’s why it’s so important to have a good recall so you can be certain your dog will return to you before roaming too far.

“If they do get themselves trapped somewhere we’d urge owners to get in touch on our 24-hour line on 0300 1234 999.”