Firefighters called to rescue a trapped dog didn’t expect it to be a case of Free Willy.

The heat was on as Andy and Hayley Heaton’s pet Staffordshire Bull Terrier found himself in a rather compromising position while trying to get amorous with a new house guest.

The couple, of Douglas Street, Hyde had just bought seven-month-old Staffy bitch, Kizzy, as a companion for nine-year-old Kane, but had been keeping the pair apart until Kizzy could be spayed. But when Kane decided the time was right for love — on Saturday teatime — not even a wire cage could keep him from his girl.

"What he did, he got through but got his bits stuck in the cage and they really swelled up. The other dog was squashed in the back of the cage," said Andy. "I had to hold him because he was trying to turn around and get free but he was really stuck. He would’ve ripped himself to bits, he was in a panic. We thought he was going to have a heart attack.

"I couldn’t move because I was holding him and I was the only one who could’ve got my tools. My wife phoned the fire service and said he’s tried to get rude with the other dog and got his bits stuck through the bars of the cage!"

Firemen arrived and used pliers, wire cutters and a hacksaw blade to free Kane.

Andy added: "The firemen were fantastic. One of them asked would he bite and I asked him wouldn’t you if you had your bits stuck in a cage? "One of the firemen had a Staffy and he was really nice talking to the dogs all the time. "He covered him with a towel so he couldn’t see what was going on, he was bleeding.

"The more we tried to free him the more he tried to turn around."

Despite the trauma, Kane is doing well and was not injured —and he’s still trying to get in the cage with Kizzy!

Andy added: "I’ll be glad when it’s all over — when I can get her done. She’s on heat and this is supposed to be the third week, so the scent is supposed to be going now!"