Monday

Recently tourists who were visiting Kimberley's Big Hole in South Africa spotted a dog in distress who had fallen down into the hole. Kimberley's Big Hole is a no longer used diamond mine and is 42 acres in dimension and a cliff drop of 700 feet (200 meters), which is roughly the height of a 50 storey building. The tourist guides apparently called rescue organizations to let them know of the dog's plight.

Kobus de Jonge posted on social media with, "I'm a tourist guide and was at the Big Hole last Wednesday. One of the guides at the hole mentioned that this dog fell in the hole last Friday and was still alive. I phoned Jaco Powell from Cape Fox Tours, a tourist guide friend and well known person from Kimberley and told him what happened. He phoned the SABC, SPCA, etc. Eventually they all pitched up - Police Rescue included. This dog HAD to be saved as she fought for her life since last Friday."

Several attempts were made to get the dog out but they were futile. The emergency rescuers that first attempted to rescue her had trouble because the ground was very unstable and the ropes were not long enough to reach the dog. Police also tried using a helicopter, but again the ropes were not long enough to safely reach the dog and conditions were not safe.


The dog was nicknamed, "Underdog" and food was thrown down the hole to keep her alive but as the days passed the hopes of saving her dimmed. Then on Saturday, ER24, a private emergency rescue company, sent a team of 7 rescuers down the hole to attempt to get the dog out. They used a special system of ropes and pulleys and lowered the team down.


At first the dog was afraid to come to them until Warrant officer John Sealy (from the police K9 Rescue Unit) managed to gently coax her over with kind words. He was able to get a leash around Underdog's neck and she calmed down as soon as he touched her.


John then swam with Underdog across the reservoir. Underdog had a life vest on, but it was so heavy and she soon became exhausted. So John held onto her while swimming her back to where they both could be pulled up to safety. She was finally rescued and once successfully pulled out of the hole, they renamed her "Topdog". The ER24 team are being called heroes and are being congratulated for their efforts.


Topdog is now in the Volksblad & Kimberley SPCA's care. She has received over a 100 applications (from as far away as Canada) to adopt her. They will screen all applications and find the best home for her.

VIDEO

Responses to "Dog rescued from the world's largest man-made hole in South Africa."

  1. Anonymous says:

    thank you

  2. Bless them!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Awesome job folks!!!

  4. June Mullaney says:

    Thank God for people like you!!! I am awed!
    Please, try to tell owners of pit...put a fence around it, some other unfortunate animal may not be seen in time!

  5. Anonymous says:

    Thank you!!! God bless the pup & God bless those who cared!

  6. Anonymous says:

    great job guys, very, very well done.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Awesome rescue...Thank you...

  8. Anonymous says:

    Thanku for showing us that some people still care it meanz so much !!

  9. Anonymous says:

    Thank you and God Bless.

  10. Unknown says:

    Bless You ALL ^j^

  11. Unknown says:

    I seriously bow my head to you in a show of gratitude for your being so amazing.

  12. Anonymous says:

    This is excellent. What a number of beautiful hearts coming together to save this gorgeous puppy.
    Thank you everyone!!

  13. Jean Harding says:

    What you all did was incredible and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  14. Anonymous says:

    This must have been quite a rescue. Well done to all who took part in saving this dog. Without you. he probably would have died.

  15. Anonymous says:

    aw, such a heart warming story to read. Thank you for rescuing him.

  16. vnv4 says:
    This comment has been removed by the author.
  17. Lynnette says:

    Wow... absolutely Well Done! Thank you for saving her all those involved in rescuing her... :D

  18. HHOS says:

    Nice Story. Well done John and the rest of the team.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Wonderful story!

  20. Unknown says:

    To all involved-Thank you for saving this precious dog. GOD thanks you, WE thank you for your rescuing her. Togetherness is wonderful. Again THANK YOU from the heart.

  21. brendalee says:

    Great work.
    Now fill it in or make a access so this can be avoided as a human could just as well fall in and drown too.

  22. Well Done John and All involved, You are All Special People.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Wonderful people - thank you all!

  24. Anonymous says:

    Thank you- you are wonderful people. God will reward you

  25. GRAZIE :-)

  26. SASS says:

    fantastic!

  27. Anonymous says:

    Thank you lord for wonderful people like you

  28. Anonymous says:

    You guys are by far the very greatest, Bar none, Real Heros, Bless you all.

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