Rescuers split open rock and dig to save trapped dog

A dog has been reunited with his family after being trapped underground for four days.

Monty the nine-yearold Jack Russell had a miraculous escape after a daring 24-hour rescue that was ultimately completed by a perfect stranger.

The inquisitive canine went missing on Sunday afternoon during a walk in the woods near Brahan golf course in Ross-shire.

Owner Chris Blake, 38, desperately searched for the pooch until his mother-in-law and sisterin-law heard the faint sound of barking in an area close to a disused animal burrow.

Mr Blake said: “We had looked all over the woods for him for two days and were beginning to lose hope.

“It was Tuesday when we first heard the barking but the problem was it was from a very small hole on the edge of a cliff-face, down a 6ft-deep crack cliff.”

The geologist, who runs his own business in Dingwall, was able to put some of his skills to use as he enlisted the help of some friends and colleagues for the rescue.

They used 20-tonne hydraulic jacks to prise apart the rock. That made it big enough to get to the in between the bottom of the crack in the cliff, where they could hear Monty’s barking more clearly.

Work colleague Louis Rae squeezed into the gap with a small spade and just kept digging and digging until he was out of sight of the rest of the crew.

Good Samaritan Andrew Costigane, 27, then arrived on the scene and was able to wriggle into the gap to finally help Monty free.

An emotional Mr Blake said: “It was such a relief, there were tears, it was an incredible feeling to have him back.

“We really thought he was dead.”

Monty is now back at home in Conon Bridge with Mr Blake, wife Lorna and their two children.

RELIEF: Owner Chris Blake, centre, during Monty’s rescue from the hole