In a commendable joint effort, the Newcastle SPCA, Newcastle Firefighters, and Resec Security collaborated to rescue a distressed dog trapped in a manhole on Jenkyn Street in Paradise, Newcastle.
The dramatic rescue unfolded on Friday night, 17 November 2023, just after 9 pm, when Trainee Inspector Jenavieve Tinkler from Newcastle SPCA received a distress call regarding a canine in dire straits.
“While on the way to the scene I was feeling a little wary of safety at the scene and contacted a security company in the area, Resec Security, who without any hesitation immediately sent out one of their vehicles to stand with me on scene,” said Tinkler.
Upon arriving, she explained that she noticed another dog lying in the grass next to the open manhole, but it ran a short distance away when approached by the Newcastle SPCA and security team.
“Once I looked into this hole, I realised I would need to ask for assistance from our Fire department,” Tinkler said, highlighting that the manhole was deep and while she could possibly get in, getting out would be a concern if her ladder broke. She then contacted the Newcastle Municipality’s Fire Department who arrived within minutes.
As a result, a plan of action was then put into place, with the SPCA and Fire Department working together to rescue the young dog who is estimated to be seven months old. The rescue operation, according to Tinkler, took a few hours as they wanted to ensure the dog was not injured or scared during the process.
“The dog was thankfully not injured and was safely brought to the surface. It’s not known for sure how long this poor dog had been in this manhole, but he appeared to be slightly dehydrated and weak,” reported Tinkler. The rescue operation, spanning several hours, aimed to ensure the safety and well-being of the trapped dog.
As the team worked on extracting the distressed dog, they noticed the first dog circling the area, displaying obvious concern for its companion. “We could not separate the two, and so another plan was put in place to lure the older dog to its little friend so they could stay together.” The duo, once rescued, were reunited and taken to the Newcastle SPCA for care, where they received warm beds, food, and much needed rest,” Tinkler shared.
Expressing gratitude to all involved in the rescue, Tinkler commended the collaboration of compassionate individuals willing to go the extra mile for animals. She also thanked the vigilant resident who reported the situation and Adam from Anti Hijacking, ensuring the team’s safe return to the SPCA offices.
Furthermore, the open manhole has been cordoned off and will be reported for prompt repair to prevent further incidents, Tinkler assured. She further urged the public to report similar dangers timeously, stating, “Should you know of any such dangerous manholes that are open, please do report them ASAP.”
With the rescued dogs now safely housed at the Newcastle SPCA, both will be available for adoption from 24 November 2023. Concluding, Tinkler emphasised that due to the strong bond formed during their reliance on each other, the pair, estimated to be seven months and seven years old, respectively, will have to be adopted together.
Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts on this heartwarming rescue in the comment section below. Will you be adopting this celebrity duo?
