Puppy's ear trapped in shredder

A springer spaniel puppy is recovering after its trademark floppy ear became trapped in a paper shredder at its owner's Hertfordshire home.

Jackie Wells, 49, was shredding documents at her St Albans home when the 11-month-old dog, Rascal, became trapped in the mechanism.

She turned the machine off but part of Rascal's ear had been caught.

Rascal was taken to the vets where the machine was dismantled and the puppy was freed.

'Very friendly'

Lenny Cooper, of Cayton Veterinary Surgery, Smallford, said: "They had to carry the shredder very close to Rascal's head because if you pulled the shredder away at all he yelped.

"I'd heard of this happening before but I'd never dealt with a case like it myself."

Rascal was anaesthetised while the shredder was dismantled and Mr Cooper had to amputate the lower part of the dog's ear.

The vet said: "Once the hair has grown back it shouldn't be too noticeable and Rascal will still have full use of his ear."

"He seems fine, still very friendly."