Firefighters Rescue Dog Swallowed by Sinkhole

Farmington Hills firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to rescue dog from sinkhole. (Photo submitted)

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Farmington Hills firefighters proved themselves to be a dog’s best friends Wednesday after rescuing her from a sinkhole that had swallowed and trapped her.

Maxine, a 13-year-old Pit Bull Terrier, ran into the sinkhole caused by soil erosion from recent torrential rains. Apparently attempting to escape, she ran about 10 feet farther in the hole and was trapped between the driveway and a culvert, according to a news release from the Farmington Hills Fire Department.

Nine irefighters from two units had to use equipment normally reserved for human rescues, including the Jaws of Life and hand tools to dig through the asphalt and dirt. Once the rescue team made a large enough hole, Lieutenant/Paramedic Donald Schinske reached in and pulled the scared but uninjured dog out.

It took about 30 minutes to liberate Maxine.

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