Dog raises alarm for fox cub trapped in pipe

This poor fox cub was trapped inside the overflow pipe but rescued when collie cross Labrador Rover spotted his plight. The 11-year-old dog alerted owner Steven Miller while the pair walked in the grounds of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Steph Grant, from the Scottish SPCA, freed the 10-week-old and took him to the charity’s rescue center where he was named Jacob. Ms Grant said: "The overflow pipe that Jacob had become trapped inside was extremely narrow and there is no way he would have been able to get himself out.

"Thankfully, I was able to rescue him from the tight spot he was in and, although frightened, he didn't have any injuries. We don't know how he managed to get himself into the pipe but one thing is for sure, Rover is a true canine hero for finding him." Center manager Colin Seddon said: "Jacob was very lucky to have been discovered as he would have perished otherwise.

"He's coming on really well and is now eating solid food. We've introduced him to three other fox cubs in our care and we are hopeful that they will all be released at a carefully-selected site when they are at the right age and stage to be able to fend for themselves in the wild."