The great dog rescue
August 21 was a very lucky day for Chippy the dog when he was rescued from a 4.2m deep manhole in Wright Park.
A couple of months ago this adventurous dog fell into an exposed manhole near his home and thanks to the ladder inside, his owners, the Pereiras, were able to rescue him themselves.
But last week, when he went exploring the neighbourhood once again, he fell down a manhole that did not have a built-in ladder and his owners could not get him out.
The Springs SPCA was called in to help and Inspector Graham Wesseloo was sent to investigate.
On arrival, Graham realised that he would not be able to rescue the little Jack Russell without help.
SPCA manager Celeste Kleyn and kennel manager Liezel Kruger went to assist, all of them surprised to find Chippy unharmed after his fall down the 4.2m hole.
Quinton Pereira, Chippy’s owner, watched as Graham was lowered into the small, dark, dingy hole to rescue his pup.
Celeste and Liezel had to send a bucket down to Graham so Chippy can be loaded in and hauled out of the hole.
“I had to lift Chippy over my head and place him in the bucket. I just kept my fingers crossed that he didn’t decide to jump,” said Graham, adding that he was relieved that Chippy sat quietly in the bucket as he was raised to safety.
Chippy and Quinton were happy to be reunited, says SPCA fundraiser Debbie Miller, adding that for Graham, Celeste and Liezel it was all in a days work.
“Graham is a real hero, he saved my Chippy,” said Quinton with a smile, thanking the staff at the SPCA for the wonderful work they do.
