Two dogs that had been missing for a month have been found barely alive at the bottom of a well.

The missing canines were rescued by firefighters in the district of Canas in the Costa Rican province of Guanacaste on Saturday, 8th January.

They were found alive at the bottom of a five-metre-deep well, although one pooch was severely dehydrated and needed urgent veterinary care.

The dogs’ owner reported them as missing one month ago, and all search efforts to find them had proved fruitless.

In a statement, the fire brigade said that both dogs were rescued alive, but one of them was suffering with severe dehydration.

The dogs were returned to their owner one month after going missing, and firefighters instructed the owner to take the animals to a vet for treatment and checks.

The owner, name not disclosed, said search teams were unable to find the dogs following their disappearance, adding that it is a huge relief to have them back home.

The fire department said: “We wish a speedy recovery for our four-legged friends.”

It is unclear who found the dogs at the bottom of the well and who reported it to the fire brigade.