Dog Rescued from 30-Foot Well (PHOTOS)

PERRYMAN, MD — A Saint Bernard was rescued Sunday afternoon from an unusual situation in Perryman. Mabel the dog fell into a dry well in the 500 block of East Michaelsville Road, according to Rich Gardiner, spokesman for the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association.

The Harford County Technical Rescue Team and Aberdeen firefighters helped free the dog from the confined space, which was 30 feet below ground, Gardiner said.

Typically, Saint Bernards weigh as much as humans—130 to 180 pounds. Photographs showed crews using a pulley system to help bring the dog to safety.

First responders conducted the rescue on a day when the National Weather Service had issued an excessive heat warning, with temperatures projected to reach heat indices up to 110 degrees around 4 p.m.

The rescue was completed within about an hour, officials said; crews began working at 5 p.m. and had successfully removed the pooch by 6 p.m.

Initial reports indicated the dog was in good spirits.

Said Gardiner: "Mabel was seen running in circles after she was pulled from the hole."

Afterward, she was taken to the vet for a checkup.

Pictured, Mabel with Harford County Technical Rescue Crew Chief Dan Lemmon; the dog's owner is in the background. Photo Credit: Rhonda Hinch, Level Volunteer Fire Company.