Dog named after Indiana Jones rescued by firefighters after getting his head trapped in metal fence

Eight-year-old cocker Indi, named after the famous film character played by Harrison Ford, had been on a family walk with owner Emma Brown and her two children Oliver, 9 and Rose, 4 before his mishap.

Indi was left to explore the garden following the walk while the family removed their muddy wellies.

But owner Emma, 35 was shocked to find a concerned neighbour banging on her door to let her know Indi, who has been part of the family for more than seven years, was stuck in the wrought iron fence.

He had stuck his head through the fence to say hello to passers-by but became trapped and had begun to choke himself in his bid for freedom.

Crews from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service were then called and arrived at the scene four minutes later, cutting away the section of railings around Indi’s head before transporting him to a nearby vets where he was anaesthetised so the metal could be cut away safely.

Emma, from Houghton, said Indi had done his namesake proud with all his adventures over the years.

She said: “I could write a book about all of Indi’s misgivings as he likes nothing more than to go on doggy adventures around the estate. He’s even got a girlfriend a few doors down!

“At first I just thought it was Indi being Indi, and he’d got into one of his little scrapes. But when I actually realised he was really stuck, pure panic set in. It was quite scary. I was thinking the worst could happen!

“Once Indi started to struggle and get more distressed there was no other way forward, and the Fire Service seemed like our only hope to free Indi. The fire crew were at the house before we knew it. I literally wanted to cry when I saw the fire engine as at this stage the children were also starting to get upset.”

The intricate rescue took just over two hours to complete.

Emma, a receptionist for a doctor’s surgery in County Durham, says she will always have gratitude towards the firefighters following the incident on Saturday, October 1.

She added: “Words can’t describe how our family feels about having Indi back where he belongs, safe and sound. The firefighters were absolutely fantastic. I couldn’t fault them whatsoever.”

Kevin Williams, TWFRS Watch Manager for Green Watch at Rainton Bridge Community Fire Station, said: “The quick thinking of our firefighters to remove a section of the gate using metal cutters ensured the frightened dog could then be urgently transported to the veterinary surgery for emergency treatment.

“Indi was always in safe hands and we even covered him in a fire blanket to ensure no sparks from the cutting caused any additional injuries. We are all happy and over the moon that Indi is now back in the arms of his owners.

“We can’t attend every animal rescue so the RSPCA should be your first port of call. But if we’re nearby and available, we will be on hand to help.”