Fallowfield firefighters rescued dog trapped in possible mine shaft
Fallowfield Township firefighters rescued this mixed-breed dog, which was found nearly 30 feet down a hole Wednesday afternoon, with a makeshift cradle made of rope.
Fallowfield Township firefighter Richard Moze
CHARLEROI – Fallowfield Township firefighters rescued a dog Wednesday that was trapped nearly 30 feet down what appeared to be an abandoned coal mine shaft.
Firefighters used a rope attached to a makeshift cradle made of rope to hoist the mixed-breed dog to safety, township fire Chief Anthony Fleming said Thursday.
“The dog kind of wound its way into the cradle,” Fleming said. “We have no clue how or how long the dog was in there.”
The fire department was summoned to property along Brothers Road, near Twin Bridges Road, about 5:30 p.m. after a passerby heard the dog barking and called for help.
The hole, since covered, is about three feet wide and its length was unknown, Fleming said.
He said he didn’t know the dog’s name, but the owner saw the fire department’s Facebook post about the rescue and Fallowfield firefighter Richard Moze retrieved the animal and returned it.
Firefighters considered entering the hole to get the dog, but they were told not to because of the potential of soil collapsing, according to the Facebook post.
EQT was called to investigate the cause of the hole because its gas line is nearby.
Moze could not be reached for comment Thursday.