ARIZONA NEWS

Hot dog! Scottsdale firefighters work for 7 hours to rescue dog trapped in house

Oct 11, 2024, 5:00 PM | Updated: Oct 14, 2024, 8:02 am

PHOENIX — A technical rescue team with the Scottsdale Fire Department worked on Tuesday night to save a trapped canine.

Scottsdale Fire received the family’s call for help around 7 p.m.

The 14-person team that took on the job worked to save the Scottsdale dog from where she’d become trapped in her home until 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Why did Scottsdale dog need rescue?

Bella, an American Bulldog, had gone headfirst into an underground system called an earth tube.

These systems are designed to help keep homes cool or warm by moving air underground. However, they can be dangerous for pets like Bella who wander too close.

The tube had been open for Bella to fall into because the homeowner had arranged a construction project on a guest bedroom and bathroom in the east part of the home.

It’s possible Bella didn’t see the 14-inch Earth tube because it was dark and uncovered, according to Scottsdale Fire Capt. David Folio.

“They placed their phone into the hole and could see her,” Folio told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday. “They attempted to get her to step into a rope with a piece of chicken, but she didn’t come close enough.”

After the Scottsdale dog fell down, her family couldn’t get a hold of either animal control or the construction company they hired to do the renovations.

How did technical rescue team save Scottsdale dog?

The specialized rescue teams who saved Bella used a variety of high-tech gadgets to “fetch” her from the hole she was trapped in.

One of those gadgets was the Savox Hasty Searchcam 3000, which helped them find Bella in the underground space.

They also used rotohammers, which break up concrete, air chisels, which help cut through tough materials, and a type of saw called a Sawzall to excavate the area.

Throughout the operation, the teams paid close attention to the air quality to make sure the air was ventilated. This step was necessary to ensure the rescue mission was safe for everyone involved.

After many hours of hard work, Bella finally was free to reunite with her family.

“This was a challenging rescue, but our team was dedicated to ensuring Bella’s safety,” Folio said. “We’re so happy to see her back with her family.”

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Hot dog! Scottsdale firefighters work for 7 hours to rescue dog trapped in house