By Isle of Wight Observer
A fox cub, nicknamed Penny, was dramatically pulled from a drain after a six-hour rescue on Sunday.
It is estimated Penny was stuck in the drain for around five days and when she was finally brought to the surface, unsurprisingly, was very cold and hungry.
The rescue was led by Friends of the Animals volunteers and Southern Water workmen who were called out for their specialist knowledge.
A Friends of the Animals spokesman said: “We were initially called for help after the sound of a barking dog that had gone on for three days was finally traced to an outside drain by homeowners.
“When we arrived the cover of the drain was up and with a few dog biscuits dropped in by some amazing locals and we saw a head pop out and then dart back in.
“We called volunteer Dave Greenwood yet again for assistance and although out, he detoured to join us. We also called Southern Water who came out without hesitation to help as this rescue needed specialists knowledge.
“After many hours of trying to find the cub she was seen on a drain inspection camera. We could see her eyes shining in the dark tunnel only lit by the camera torch.
“She wouldn’t go between the original drain and the one in the garden so it could be blocked so Dave’s wife, Charlotte, suggested the ring doorbell camera on the inside the drain so, if activated, the home owner could block the one in the garden and stop the cub going further along the pipe. Penny had become trapped in 16 metres of pipe between the manhole covers.
“We called The Carisbrooke Vets who kindly saw Penny the cub who was given antibiotics and it was decided then to administer fluids.
“A huge thank you to the lanes crew at Southern Water because without their help we would not have caught her. As the saying goes heroes don’t always wear capes.”
