UNITED KINGDOM — A dog was caught in a hollowed out hole after getting stuck 20ft up an oak tree.

Tyson the Jack Russell was rescued by firefighters after dashing into the hollow tree and getting trapped halfway up.

It took more than six hours and a team of five men to free the tiny terrier.

Owner Stuart Smirk, of Carrbrook Village, Stalybridge, said: “My dad had been walking Tyson through Carrbrook Heritage trail when it happened.

“When he phoned me to say to he had lost Tyson up a tree I couldn’t believe it.”

Stuart’s dad Simon, 48, tried to coax down the dog – who the family adopted four years ago after he followed Stuart home from college – but failed.

Simon, an electrician for a stage lighting company, said: “It was only when I saw his nose poking out of a hole 20ft up that I realised he was in the tree.

“He just couldn’t, or wouldn’t, come down. My daughter Jenny and her boyfriend came out to help as well as Stuart.

“I contacted my brother and a local tree surgeon before finally being advised by the fire service to ring the RSPCA.”

RSPCA inspector Paul Heaton came out but even he couldn’t reach Tyson – so crews from Stalybridge fire station were called in.

They finally freed him after tying a rope around his neck and feeding it through the tree trunk to lead him down.

Demolition worker Stuart, 20, said: “He is a very mischievous dog but he’s never done anything like this before. “We’re all very grateful to the RSPCA and firefighters for all they did. Most dogs would be tired out by the ordeal but not Tyson, all he wanted to do when he got home was to play.”

Stalybridge crew manager Rob Steele said: “This was a bizarre one to say the least.

“Having served 21 years in the fire and rescue service I’ve seen plenty of cats up a tree but never a dog.”