A DOG was left significantly muddy – but unharmed – after it was rescued after wandering into a drainage pipe.

Ruby was being walked on Manor Road in Upton Lovell near Warminster when she decided to venture into the pipe, getting herself stuck.

Firefighters were called into action, and the service contacted Wiltshire Council and its contractors M Group to support the rescue.

Council teams dug through the verge and into the pipe to free Ruby, who, after around three hours, was reunited with her owner.

Councillor Ian Thorn, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “This was a real team effort, and our thanks go to our highways officers, our contractors M Group, and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service for working together at pace to free Ruby.

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“We were really pleased to be able to reunite Ruby with her owner, and hopefully she’ll continue her adventures above ground in the future!

“Our teams will be returning to the site this week to repair the pipe and verge.”

Emma Richards, highways supervisor at M Group, said: “We’re proud of Connor and Ryan for working with the council and fire service to free Ruby.

“Their teamwork and persistence helped ensure a happy ending for both Ruby and her owner.”

Firefighter Nathan Collins, who was in charge of the rescue, said: “Sometimes we need the support of other agencies for the incidents we attend, and the swift arrival of the team from Wiltshire Council Highways and their partners meant we were able to get Ruby back into the safe keeping of her owner.

“We’re really pleased that Ruby is now out of harm’s way, so a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped to free her.”

Ruby can now expect a deep scrub in the bath.