A Trentham East resident and her family felt “elated and in disbelief” when their beloved Labrador Ted was found and rescued from a Wombat State Forest mineshaft this week.
With the family’s other dog – a Labradoodle named Penny – guarding the entrance, local Trentham Fire Brigade members worked with CFA Bendigo Oscar 1 rescue team to rescue Ted from the eight-metre-deep mine shaft in the Wombat State Forest on Monday, June 2.
Owner Chantal Henderson said that the family were “elated and in disbelief” when the dogs were found, after they escaped from their Trentham East home after a family member accidentally left the gate open on the Thursday prior.
“Penny was just back to normal … Ted … seemed a little distracted, but I think he was so overwhelmed trying to find water,” Ms Henderson said.
She said that the dogs were located after Penny stood at the entrance to the shaft and barked from about 1am to 5am on Sunday morning, where they were then located by a resident and her daughter who lived nearby.
Ms Henderson said that the family hypothesised that the dogs had either been taken in by someone who would later contact them, or in the worst-case scenario, become hopelessly lost in one of the uncovered mines of the forest.
The relief of finding their pets in a healthy state was preceded by days of searching and social media callouts, and Ms Henderson said that there was plenty of support from the local community.
“We’ve had so many responses, especially across the Macedon Ranges noticeboards … hundreds and hundreds of responses and messages of support,” Ms Henderson said.
“There were a number of people around our community who went out for drives, went out for walks calling and looking for them … I just want to thank everyone for their interest and support,” she said.
Trentham Fire Brigade captain David Wheeldon said the team provided Ted with plenty of food and water, with the Oscar 1 rescue team handing him “back into the arms of his owners at [about] 2.53pm, happy, healthy and well.”
Ms Henderson said that the dogs were taken straight to McIntyre Vets in Kyneton, where a series of tests confirmed their health to be perfectly within the normal range.
She said once they are able to resume a regular diet, they will receive some special treats.
