Dachshund dug out after backyard tunnel rescue in Kentucky
Veeta the dachshund was trapped about 4 feet underground after entering a tunnel beneath her owner’s yard, officials said.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
A dachshund named Veeta was pulled safely from beneath her owner’s Kentucky yard after she slipped into a tunnel and became stuck underground, according to Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control.
The agency said officers were called Saturday to a home on Featherston Drive after Veeta discovered an opening in the yard and went inside. What looked like a small tunnel led into a hidden underground space below the property, officials said in a social media post.
According to Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control, the dog ended up about 4 feet below ground and nearly 10 feet from the point where she entered.
A backyard turned into a rescue dig
The agency said the cavity had formed over time because of erosion, natural limestone and the roots of a nearby silver maple tree. Officials described the space as a “maze-like cave” beneath the yard.
Animal control officers called in the Lexington Fire Department to help reach the trapped dog, the fire department said in its own social media post.
Firefighters, animal control officers and neighbors then spent hours digging in hot conditions, according to the posts from the two agencies. Crews worked slowly to avoid hurting Veeta while trying to reach the spot where she was trapped.
The rescue took five hours, officials said. When Veeta was finally brought out, Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control said she was dirty and scared, but not injured.
Veeta goes home
After the rescue, Veeta was returned to her owners, according to animal control officials. The agency said the dog responded with steady tail wagging once she was back above ground.
The Lexington Fire Department and Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control both shared posts about the rescue on social media, with animal control thanking the firefighters and neighbors who helped dig through the yard.
No injuries were reported by the agencies. Officials did not report any additional animals trapped in the underground space.
This story draws on original reporting from UPI.