A dog miraculously survived after being impaled on a three foot SPIKE that went right through his body.
German wire-haired pointer Angus was out for an afternoon walk with his owner when he jumped into a ditch and was skewered on a metal stake hidden in the undergrowth.
READ MORE: Slippery conditions in West Berkshire cause car to end up in ditch
Vets raced to the scene of the freak accident in in Enborne, near Newbury, to save the stricken pooch.
They gave him fluids to bring bring his blood pressure up while staff back at the practice in nearby Thatcham prepared for life-saving surgery.
He was then put under the knife for four hours and spent eight days recovering before being allowed home.
READ MORE: The Zyka, Tilehurst, awarded at Curry Life Awards
X-rays taken at the Donnington Grove Veterinary Group showed the stake had entered Angus's chest near his armpit, through his diaphragm into his abdomen - but amazingly missed all his vital organs.
Lucy Mapplebeck, a veterinary nurse at Donnington Grove, said: "It is very unusual for us to have to go out to the animal where it is injured. We do see serious conditions, but a complete freak accident like this is very unusual.
"The dog was in shock so needed a lot of fluids to get his blood pressure back up and we quickly realised the only way to save his life was to go ahead with surgery as we didn't think he would have made the journey to a referral unit.
"He was in surgery for four hours and it was one of the most complicated surgeries I have ever seen."
Vet Will Hodge and trainee veterinary nurse Lindsey Morris treated him at the scene while fellow vet Emma Pritchard and a team of nurses, from both the day and night shifts, were also involved in the complicated thoracotomy operation.
A chest drain was put in place to remove the air and fluid from the dog's chest and he spent a number of days in intensive care and on very strong pain killers after the incident.
Angus spent a total eight days at the vets, being visited twice a day by his worried owners, before being allowed home.
He is still having regular check-ups but is expected to make a full recovery.
"It was a complete freak accident and we are really proud of the outcome," Ms Mapplebeck added.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here