Home

Hero firefighters rescue dog from a backyard bore in Dianella

Headshot of Caitlyn Rintoul
Caitlyn RintoulThe West Australian
CommentsComments
VideoFire crews have rescued a dog.

Hero firefighters have gone to great lengths to save a trapped dog from a backyard bore.

A Dianella dog owner Scott Hagenaars called triple zero about 6pm when they heard noises coming from the bore in the backyard of their Cresswell Road property.

Their dog Poker had plummeted 12 metres underground and needed a huge operation to lift it back to the surface.

Six fire crews were called to the home, including a specialist vertical rescue team, where they set up a tripod and pulley system over the bore’s entrance.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

After 90 minutes crews were greeted by a heartwarming sight — the dog alive and panting as it emerged from the ground.

SEE THE FOOTAGE IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Footage shows a man, who is believed to be the dog’s owner, patting its head amid the flurry of activity around it.

“Poker, it’s ok mate,” he says in the footage.

The dog was taken to a local vet for a follow-up examination and is understood to be safe and well.

“He's all right, he's got no broken bones or anything,” Mr Hagenaars said.

The dog is pulled out of the well by firefighters.
Camera IconThe dog is pulled out of the well by firefighters. Credit: The West Australian/The West Australian

“He didn't come out to visit us when me and my partner got home.

“Our other dog was a little skittish trying to get our attention now that I think about it.

“He didn't make a lot of noise until we got the lid off and then he did. I just thought What do we do? Who do we call?

“There was a hole in the roof — it had rusted away. We had to cut away the garden because it was quite overgrown to get to him. The fireys were worried with it not covered last night with the kids but they were in bed. The landlord has been out today and covered it up.”

While cat rescues can be fairly common for crews, a Department of Fire and Emergency Service spokeswoman said backyard bore rescues were rare.

Bores are required by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to have an external housing through either a cap, box or cover.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails