A PUPPY sparked a 999 alert in Hampshire yesterday.

The English Bulldog puppy was loose in the front of a van on Jacksons Road, Hedge End, when he jumped on the central locking.

The engine was still running and the puppy, along with four other dogs in cages in the back of the van, were locked inside.

The fire crew used rescue equipment to unlock the van and rescue the dogs.

Crew manager Andrew Burridge was among the crew on the call.

He said: “It can happen quite easily.

“This is my first time with a dog.

“I assessed the scene when we got there, and then we popped the door open and it was over and done with with no damage.

“It was finished in four minutes.”