Emergency crews rescued an elderly pet dog which was lodged - in an air vent.

Police and fire and rescue department of Fairfax County in Virginia, USA, were called to the scene to rescue Maya, a 17-year-old Shih Tzu.

It is unclear how Maya became stuck in the HVAC and how long she had been there when rescue crews arrived.

A video shows the police and fire and rescue department cutting open a flooring panel in order to try and reach the elderly pet dog.

Struggling to reach the dog, the officers were forced to head down to the basement to saw open the ceiling.

They eventually retrieved the dog and slowly lift her down from the hole in the ceiling.

The owner, who wasn't named, can be heard saying "Hang in there Maya" as the pet is returned to her.