WATCH: Dog rescued from muddy pit

Rain nor storms could not prevent these guardians from jumping into action.

April 12, 2025

Jani de Beer 1 minute read

The exhausted animal did not suffer any injuries and is now safely in the care of TAG.

Navigating through overgrowth and descending into a muddy pit, the team from The Animal Guardians (TAG), successfully rescued an Airedale Terrier-cross pup from cold and starvation.

In the early hours of April 7, the team responded to a call stating that a dog was trapped in a large hole in an open veld, along Fourth Road, Cloverdene.

Jumping into action the team assessed the situation and found the only feasible way to reach the bewildered animal was to lower and secure a ladder into the 2m deep excavation.

“Our first course of action was to provide him with food, water and treats,” said Annie Jungmann, of TAG.

“This was done to gain his trust and calm his nerves. In a situation like this, the safety of our team as well as the animal is of the utmost importance.”

The rescue operation took only a few minutes to execute and the exhausted pup was safely brought to the surface by Katie O’Neill.

“With the catchpole humanely secured around his neck we could not identify any injuries. It is estimated that he had been trapped for four days,” said O’Neill.

“He was taken to our Cloverdene kennels where he was warmed up and served a hearty meal. He spent the rest of the day recovering from the ordeal and catching up on some much-needed rest.”

This rescue is one of 159 animals currently in TAG’s care, all of whom have been neglected, abandoned or abused.

In order for the animal welfare organisation to continue offering safe and loving shelter to some of the city’s forgotten furry friends, they rely on your support.

With colder weather fast approaching, TAG is in need of blankets as well as wet and dry food for its canine and feline residents.

Donations can be made to TAG Standard Bank, cheque account 10106261256, branch code 051001.

For more information about TAG, and its ongoing outreach projects or to meet some of the ‘pawsome’ pals who are up for adoption, contact Jungmann on 076 330 5736 or visit them at 86 Cloverdene Road, Rynfield AH.