Dog Falls Into Deep Hole In San Diego, Rescued After 'Group Effort'

BONITA, CA — When a retired police dog fell 50 feet down a narrow hole in South San Diego County multiple agencies rose to the cause of saving him.

Emergency responders answered an "animal in distress" call and arrived at the scene just before 3 p.m. Wednesday, Bonita-Sunnyside Fire Department Chief Mike Sims told Patch.

They saw that the large German Shepherd, later identified as a retired K-9 officer known as Indy, had fallen about 50 feet down a narrow sinkhole.

"The dog appeared injured and access was limited," Sims said.

Bonita Fire's Engine 38 then upgraded the call to a Confined Space Rescue. Resources from the region responded to assist, including the Chula Vista Fire Department, National City Fire Department, CHP San Diego and the San Diego Humane Society.

"Due to the complex nature of the environment, it was determined by the group, including the confined space team, that it was not safe to send rescuers down the hole," Sims said.

Crews were forced to effect a rescue from the top of the hole. They had a pully system off the ladder as a high point, and snared him and were able to pull him back up, according to Sims.

"By almost 7 p.m. the German Shepherd was safely rescued from the hole and the owner took the dog to the veterinarian for an evaluation," Sims said. “We would like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the crews on scene for their determination and creativity to accomplish this challenging rescue.”

Indy, a retired K-9 German Shepherd from Arizona, is owned by retired Navy veteran Mark Pugh, who told officials he was walking the dog across a property. Indy fell into the hole in the ground that was obscured by brush, according to 10News.com. The dog's current condition has not been released.

"(Indy) looked tired from being down there for hours and wasn't raising his head toward the end," Sims said. "After we pulled him up, it seemed his back legs may have been injured, but he was sitting up and alert in the back of his truck on his way to the emergency vet. We are hoping that he'll have a full recovery."