Dog rescued from well after being trapped underground for a week
A DOG that fell down a well and was trapped underground for a week was saved by firefighters who used hoses to pull him out.
The Caucasian shepherd was up to his neck in contaminated water after tumbling down the 15ft (4.5m) concrete shaft in County Durham.
A dog walker raised the alarm when he spotted the lid to the well partially open last Friday and peered inside to see a terrified animal trapped at the bottom.
He called the RSPCA and Cleveland Fire Brigade who dashed to the scene, known locally as Phoenix Sidings, in Stockton-on-Tees.
RSPCA inspector Steph Baines said: “It was a complete stroke of luck that the man was in the area as he never walked his dogs there before.
“It’s also incredibly lucky that he was interested enough to peer into the hole. But the biggest miracle is that he even spotted the animal at the bottom of the shaft because it was incredibly dark and very deep.
“When he called us he believed it was a badger stranded in the contaminated water at the bottom of the shaft.
“When we arrived we could only just see the animal but couldn’t be sure so we took a video that was zoomed right in and spotted that it was in fact a dog.”
Cleveland Fire Brigade sent a water rescue firefighter into the shaft who wrapped two lengths of hose around the dog, which is around a year old, and hauled him to the surface.
RSCPA inspector Krissy Raine added: “We managed to get some of the hose under his chest and some under his hips, like a sling; made sure he was safe and then carefully lifted him up and out of the shaft.
“As we all believed he was initially a badger we decided to name him Badger.
“Badger was utterly exhausted when we finally reached him; if the man hadn’t found him when he did and we didn’t get him out so quickly, I have no doubt that he sadly would have drowned.”
The large crossbreed was wearing a leather collar with brass studs and a black leather lead so officers believe he may have run off during a walk.
He is microchipped but the chip is not registered. Badger is being cared for the RSPCA who are appealing for his owner to come forward.