The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Gamekeepers dig deep to save Charlie from almost certain death
Dog disappeared down a hole and became trapped under 12ft of rock
Charlie is one lucky dog and we are elated he’s home safe
A dog has been pulled from a potentially early grave following a 74-hour rescue mission in the Angus Glens.
Patterdale Terrier Charlie was trapped beneath 12.5ft of solid rock in the Invermark Estate after disappearing down a hole while on a fox control operation.
Luckily, Charlie had his tracking collar on, so was easy to locate when he failed to return.
Seven gamekeepers took on the mammoth task of digging him out with hand tools over the course of three days, in sub-zero temperatures.
At one stage it looked like Charlie’s fate was sealed and the rescue operation would have to be called off.
The rescuers could not penetrate the final 3ft of rock and all hope appeared to be lost.
But an SOS was sounded and RK Services Ltd in Montrose loaned what turned out to be a life-saving rock breaker to help with the final push.
The gamekeepers – fuelled by energy drinks and adrenaline – managed to break through the last piece of rock.
They could see Charlie was alive as the dog saw daylight for the first time in three days.
He was pulled to safety and, luckily, appeared to be none the worse for his ordeal.
Lianne MacLennan from the Angus Glens Moorland Group said: “The lads were out all through the day and all through the night in sub-zero conditions.
“After days of trying to break through the rock with a pinch bar and a hammer they managed to get a rock breaker from RK Services in Montrose which made the last few crucial feet possible to free the dog.
“We can’t thank them enough for their generosity.
“Our dogs are valued members of our teams and the lads were so happy and relieved to see his nose poking through the hole after fearing the worst.
“Charlie is one lucky dog and we are elated he’s home safe.”
He went missing at 1.30pm on Tuesday and was finally pulled out at 4pm on Friday.
Charlie is adjusting to life again after being reunited with his grateful owner.
He also wolfed down a well-deserved steak pie dinner on his return home.