A Scots couple have told of their anguish when their deaf dog faced death after being trapped in an uncovered drain.
It took an intense eight-hour rescue operation involving fire crews, mine rescue experts and mechanical diggers to save working cocker spaniel Maizi from her underground prison in a Fife park.
The 14-year-old, who lost her hearing two years ago, was then rushed to the Vets Now clinic in Kirkcaldy where scans and examinations showed she had, amazingly, escaped reasonably unscathed.
“I was absolutely distraught, I thought we’d never see her alive again,” said Mrs Margaret Cumming, from Carnock, who had taken Maizi on a regular afternoon walk to Dunfermline’s Pittencrief Park.
The dog ran down a steep banking and when she, unusually, didn’t reappear, Margaret started to hunt for her. When she couldn’t find any trace, she called other park users, friends and husband Garry, who left his work in Edinburgh, to help with the search.
With darkness falling, they checked an uncovered drain opening and when Garry stuck his head down it, he could hear the bells on the collar Maizi wore to help locate her because of her deafness.
Scottish Fire and Rescue were alerted at 5pm and sent three appliances, with crews finding her trapped around eight metres down the drain.
“She had slid down the drop in the drain and was pacing around at the bottom,” said Margaret. “The emotion was unbearable. After feeling elated she’d been found, there was dread over wondering if they’d ever manage to get her out.”
“But the emergency services were amazing, so kind and compassionate and professional. When each plan they tried didn’t work, they tried something else and never gave up, but it was such a struggle and so overwhelming for us watching on.”
After trying to reach Maizi with ropes and then attempting to dig her out with picks and spades, a mechanical digger was summoned. Drain cameras were put down, further help came from a mine rescue team and local businesses rallied round to offer rescuers refreshments as the night wore on.
It wasn’t until after midnight, more than eight hours since disappearing, before Maizi was finally freed. As crews pumped water from the hole they had dug at the bottom in preparation for a larger digger, Maizi was able to scramble clear.
“I was so choked up when I saw her,” said Margaret. “She was shivering, complaining loudly and filthy, but we were so relieved. I could hardly believe she was free.”
The couple rushed her to the Vets Now clinic in Kirkcaldy, one of more than 60 clinics and hospitals across the UK that provide out-of-hours pet emergency vet care.
Vet Agata Kasperek said: “Maizi was sore, dehydrated, hypothermic, in shock and showing signs of mild head trauma when she arrived.”
“We gave her pain relief and started active warming and fluid therapy. Blood tests and ultrasound scans were performed to help with treatment and check for life-threatening internal injuries.”
“Happily, she responded well and a few hours later she was brighter and eating. It was a very emotional day for the owners and for our team in Kirkcaldy, and we’re all delighted that Maizi is doing well.”
After spending the night being cared for at the clinic, Maizi was transferred to her own vets in Dunfermline in the morning and Margaret and Garry were able to take her home that evening.
She has since continued to recover from her ordeal at home.
“The vet team were so lovely and caring and I can’t thank them, and every single person involved in the rescues, enough,” said Margaret.
“Everybody wanted to save our dog, and I think it showed the very best of human nature.”
If you’re worried your pet is showing signs of distress, injury or illness, seek help from your nearest veterinary practice immediately or your nearest emergency vet for advice.
Vets Now’s emergency clinics and hospitals are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the UK. Find your nearest clinic at www.vets-now.com.
