Community funds drone to find dog trapped in mine
Abeloved pet chihuahua was rescued using a thermal imaging drone funded by the local community after she spent five days trapped on a mountain.
Cherry the rescue dog went missing on Wednesday, March 15, while out walking on Mynydd James, near Abertillery, sparking a rescue mission and fundraising effort.
An exhausted Cherry, who is nearly five years old, was eventually found trapped in an old mining tunnel. A team of drone pilots helped locate her by using thermal imaging kit to pick up her body heat.
The desperate owners created a Facebook page in the hope of finding her, which was liked by almost 2,000 people. More than £1,200 was crowdfunded for the rescue mission.
Cherry’s owner, RSPCA animal care assistant Katinka Slingsby, 27, from Pontypool, said: “It’s absolutely amazing.
“My dad was out with her, walking up the mountain in the early evening, throwing sticks for her, and then she just disappeared and he didn’t know where she went.”
A drone sent up by Resource Group spotted Cherry at around 4pm on Monday and she was rescued at around 4.30pm – nearly five days after she vanished.
Katinka said: “She went to the vets last night and she’s all healthy.
“She’s a bit bruised and tired, obviously, but the vet was amazed how well she was.”
She added: “Animals are my life, I work with them and spend my spare time with them. We are so grateful that we have Cherry back.
“At the moment she’s on a strict lead, and she’s grounded for the time being!”
Dozens of people walked the mountain to try to locate Cherry, despite awful weather conditions.
On Sunday searchers heard five separate yelps, which gave the rescue party hope that Cherry was still alive and on the mountain.
A statement on the crowdfunder page said: “We cannot be 100% sure it is Cherry as we did not see her but there was nobody else up there and we truly believe she is still at the top of the mountain.”
The money raised on the Go Fund Me page was to pay for a helicopter to get an aerial view of the terrain.
Katinka said: “The amount of money donated is amazing. We have offered to refund it to people if they want, but if not we are going to donate it to a local charity.”
The crowdfunder statement added: “We love you wonderful, generous and kind people with all our hearts.
“People say that social media is the death of community but you have proven them absolutely wrong.
“I have never experienced community like this and you should all be so, so proud of what you have achieved.”
When Cherry was found the Facebook group set up to help posted: “None of it would have been achievable without you. So much love and thanks for each and every one of you.”
The Gwent Caving Club also offered their services, and searched various holes and crevices to try to find Cherry.
Gwent Police Inspector Lysha Thompson, who assisted with the rescue, said: “The response I received from our partner agencies was phenomenal!
“The RSPCA and police officers who also attended were able to respond quickly to the sighting by the drone, the result being a really happy ending for all, not least Cherry!
“This positive outcome was driven by members of the community who pulled together and they should all be incredibly proud of themselves.”