Search-and-rescue K9 operation called off

The rescue operation for the search-and-rescue K9 Jett has ended after it was decided that he would not have been able to survive the sewage pipe he fell into.

Jett, a search and rescue dog from the Healthy Hound missing pet search and rescue unit, fell into a manhole while tracking a missing Jack Russel terrier in Kilner Park on Sunday, November 27.

Search and rescue teams from Pretoria, including the SAPS K9 search and rescue, met for the second day after rescue efforts went well into Sunday night.

Jett had tracked the Jack Russel to some reeds at the Hartebeesspruit nature area in Kilner Park when he fell into an open drain. His handler followed Jett to try to save him, sustaining minor injuries in the process. She was unable to reach him in time before he was swept away.

Healthy Hound announced the sad news in a Facebook post:

“It is with heavy and reluctant hearts that we post this.

All search efforts have been exhausted. It is now a body recovery.”

A member of the search team clarified “The body has not been recovered and there is no sight of him yet.” However the rescue had to be changed to a body recovery plan.

“Unfortunately since it was a sewerage pipe, he would suffocate due to the fumes [sic]. If it was the storm drains he would have come out at one of the pipes.

“They are still searching, and they will continue searching until they find him, but please no one go to the scene, there are enough people to help.”

Tanya van Rensburg, a volunteer from Searchlight, said Jett’s handler is recovering after the ordeal with minor injuries after she followed Jett down the manhole.

She fell two or three metres down the pipe until she landed in the water. She washed down to the next access pipe where there was a ladder that she could escape with.

One of the rusted steps came loose, which she used to beat at the manhole cover. “That’s where Jetts owner (Diane Logie) could help her out.”

Christelle Brits, who led the search party over the past two days, said: “Everyone who knows me knows that I will not call off a search until I am 100% satisfied that everything humanly possible has been done to search for him.

“It was and is with the greatest sadness that we have to face reality that this rescue is now a body recovery.

“I know that this is not the outcome that everyone was hoping for but I can assure everyone that everything was done to try and find Jett.

“All that is left now for everyone is to pray for Jett’s human family for peace and closure in their hearts. This was a very sad accident.

“You will be greatly missed Jett.”

Search teams worked well into the night on Sunday, before regrouping on Monday morning to resume the search. The decision was made late in the afternoon to call off the rescue.

On Monday evening, the Missing Jack Russel, Freddie, was found.

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