Sewer fall causes a stink for Labrador Ollie as he's rescued by firefighters and RSPCA in Holbury

RESCUERS saved a dog from a smelly situation when it plunged into a three-metre-deep sewer in Holbury.

Black Labrador Ollie was otherwise unscathed after falling through a faulty manhole cover in his owners’ back garden.

Having popped out for 45 minutes, they raised the alarm after returning to discover his unpleasant plight.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s animal rescue team, led by Jim Green, was first on the scene and called the RSPCA for assistance.

Neighbouring households were asked not to flush their toilets to help keep Ollie safe and aid efforts to retrieve him.

RSPCA inspector Graham Hammond said: “Ollie had got into a wee bit of trouble when he accidentally broke through a faulty sewer cover while bounding round the back garden of his owners’ home.

“I was really concerned that he could have seriously injured himself.

“It was a long drop and obviously extremely nasty down there.”

The team worked to keep the pet as calm as possible as a multi-handled ground sheet was placed under his belly to lift him from the hole.

Having checked him over on his return, Mr Hammond confirmed Ollie was none the worse for wear – albeit a bit smelly.

“He seemed completely unfazed by his ordeal – although I'm sure he'll be pooped out later!” he joked.

Thanking the fire service rescue team, he added: “It was a very happy ending but could have been a very different story.”