WHEN Holly the puppy got her head stuck in a wire fence it proved something of a headache for her owner.

After two attempts at rescue, Cheryl Cox felt there was no option but to call the fire brigade.

Within minutes the lights and sirens arrived at the family home in Sussex Street, Winchester, and Holly was set free.

Mrs Cox, 35, had been watching the lottery draw on television when her two children - Natalie, eight, and Peter, five - rushed in from the garden with the news that Holly was in a fix.

"When I saw the hole, I couldn't believe how she had got her neck stuck in such a tiny gap.

"I was terrified she would snap it, if I tried to pull her out," said Mrs Cox.

"But time was ticking by, and I was worried about lack of blood supply to her head."

Unfortunately husband Ken, a dog handler working in London, was not at home to rescue the puppy.

First she tried a pair of pliers and when this was not successful she phoned her brother-in-law.

He raced round with a hacksaw, but still could not free Holly.

As a last resort, and with the puppy now having been trapped for half an hour, Mrs Cox felt she had no option but to call the fire brigade.

Within moments of arrival, they had cut the desperate pup free.

"I can't thank the fire brigade enough for rescuing Holly," said Mrs Cox.

"It really was a last resort to call them, but they were so friendly when they came."

Holly and her three brothers and sisters are up for sale, and Mrs Cox wants them to go to loving homes.

Mrs Cox can be contacted on 0788 0523264.

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