Police were on full alert when a 999 call was made suggesting a potential murder - but it turned out to be a shaggy dog story

An emergency call operator in Worcestershire heard muffled voices and a man shouting: "Come out or else, I'm warning you."

It was accompanied by the sounds of whining. Then the line went dead.

Police immediately returned the call fearing the worst, only to be greeted by a very apologetic woman.

She confirmed that all was well and the culprit was not her husband - but the dog!

It transpired that their 14-month-old golden retriever Bailey had grabbed the house phone in his mouth and ran off into the garden.

Bailey then found a spot where he could chew the handset to his heart's content.

But he was pursued by the owners and disappeared behind the garden shed.

As the dog attempted to keep his grip on the phone, he managed to dial 999 just as "Dad" was shouting at him to come out from behind the shed.

The couple, from Withington, Herefordshire, have apologised for the mix-up.