Dog on a hot tin woof (From The Argus)

Terrified dog saved from Newhaven roof

9:30am Saturday 28th July 2012 in News By William Metcalfe

Everyone has heard of cats getting stuck in trees but what about a dog stuck on a roof?

Wayne Hemmings couldn’t believe his eyes when he spotted a dog on a roof.

The daring dad went to investigate and spotted a terrified husky on a neighbouring roof near his Newhaven home.

The rescue took about 15 minutes and started when a woman who was dog-sitting for her brother realised the husky had managed to escape from her flat through a skylight.

Without a thought Mr Hemmings clambered out of the attic window and edged towards the hapless hound.

Mr Hemmings, of South Road, who previously worked as an animal warden and now works for environmental firm Veolia, sprang into action.

He said: “We spotted a dog on the roof – we’d heard barking for ages but thought nothing of it.

“I climbed up and fed the dog a bit of meat, he was absolutely petrified.

“I was three storeys up but I wasn’t worried, I didn’t think twice about it.”

Mr Hemmings, 37, is no stranger to animal rescues and has previously helped free trapped seagulls and cats from trees.

He said: “My first thought was I’d better get that dog down.

“I’ve done that sort of thing before.

“The dog’s owner passed out a dog lead and it seemed quite happy to see it.

“I fed it a bit of meat, put it on my lap and worked my way down.”

The dog was safely returned to its owners but despite his bravery Mr Hemmings turned down the offer of a reward.

He said: “The girl who was looking after the dog said she’d send her brother round but I said there was no need.

“We didn’t know each other, I think the dog was called Sparky.

“I’d do it again if I had to.”

Have you ever rescued an animal in a stranger way than Mr Hemmings?