FIRE crews expect to be called out on some pretty odd emergencies, but rescuing a labrador trying to build a nest under a diesel tank must take the biscuit. Jackie Tucker, of Sunny Side, South Milton, was chopping wood at her ex-husband's scrapyard at Whistley Hill, Ashburton, on Saturday when she noticed eight-year-old Ella was missing. 'I heard this tail wagging round by a big tank. I thought she was inside it to start with, then realised she was trapped underneath. She was buried in all this earth.' Mrs Tucker was particularly concerned because Ella had stitches, having recently been spayed and had a lump removed. After trying unsuccessfully to coax the dog out, Mrs Tucker decided to call in the professionals. 'They had to tip the tank over to get her out. She was trapped by her collar. She was a bit red and scratched, but just kept wagging her tail. 'The firemen were really laughing about it, saying no Bonios for you. 'She's never done that before, it was very uncharacteristic of her.' The vet thought that the loss of a recent litter of puppies may have been behind Ella's odd behaviour. 'She was carrying things around in her mouth as though they were babies. She's been through a lot recently.'
