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Dog Rescued From Deep Fox Hole Through Hours Long Effort By Firefighters, Police And Neighbors [VIDEO]

By Christy Strawser

EATON COUNTY (CBS Detroit) A precocious terrier ran her head into a virtual noose when she scooted deep into a foxhole. And a community effort worthy of the fictional town of Mayberry saved her life.

The Eaton County Sheriff's Office Delta Patrol responded to a call Monday at Grand Woods Park in Delta Township. The call was that a dog was trapped.

The owner could hear the dog crying from inside. She summoned help from the Sheriff's Department for her 7-year-old female Jack Russell Terrier named Frances. Deputies quickly asked the Delta Township Fire Department for assistance.

It was all hands on deck in this small community: Deputies, fire personnel and neighbors began hand digging to find the dog, who was trapped numerous feet into the hole.

Deputies eventually called nearby Michigan Plumbing, which brought a pipe camera, usually used to scope out sewer problems. The camera allowed them to see the dog was trapped in the hole and could not turn around. As they continued to dig, the hole began to collapse and the dog's cries went ominously silent.

"There was, to get out of the hole, it was oblong instead of round so she couldn't climb out herself," said Dan Boles, a manager from Michigan Plumbing.

The owner was preparing for the worst. At this time a Delta Township
Firefighter reached further into the hole  and grabbed a hold of an opossum. He quickly released that back to the wild.

Undaunted, he reached back into the hole all the way up to his shoulder and was able to grab Frances and return the grateful pup to her owner.

How did she react? "Oh man, have you ever seen those news reports when a kid gets to see their military parent after being gone for three years? It was that level of excitement," Boles said. "That dog was elated. Everybody was rejoicing. The owner lost it, started bawling. It was great, it was great.

"Everybody who walked up to the dog, it was like she knew she was saved. She was running up to everybody who was involved. She was dancing around, she was happy."

The whole process took around three hours.

SEE A PHOTO GALLERY HERE

"The owner could not be more grateful for the caring natures of the firefighters and deputies who continued to work to for hours in the dark to rescue Frances," the sheriff's department said in a press release, adding "Frances is resting at home with her owner today. We would like to thank everyone who helped save this dog. Thank you to Michigan Plumbing and all the neighbors who came out to help. A special thank you to the Delta
Township firefighter who reached his arm into the hole and recovered not only the opossum, but Frances as well."

Tearful, and grateful, owner Mary Minor of Delta Township said it reminded her of the good in the world. "I just can't tell you how amazing every single one of those guys were, they didn't give up."

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