Moment golden retriever Macy is rescued after 24 hours trapped in a 5ft sinkhole after another dog found her and alerted rescuers
- The 11-year-old retriever fell into the hole while out walking in Streator, Illinois
- A chocolate labrador, called Wrigley, alerted his owner to the dog by barking
- Fire chief Fred McClellan almost slips into the hole himself during the rescue
- Officials have warned against visiting Marilla Park until the area is secured
This is the heartwarming moment a dog was rescued from a five-foot sinkhole – after another dog found her and alerted his owner.
Macy, an 11-year-old golden retriever, was trapped inside the hole in Streator, Illinois for nearly 24 hours after falling in last Friday, February 11.
She was found in Marilla Park by another dog, a chocolate labrador named Wrigley, who alerted his owner by barking.
The 11-year-old golden retriever fell into a 5ft sinkhole while out for a walk in Marilla Park Friday 11 February and was stuck for 24 hours, before being rescued by fire chief Fred McClellan
Macy was reviewed by a veterinarian and found to be unharmed by the stressful encounter, although muddy
Macy seemed relieved to be reunited with her owner after 24 long hours beneath the ground, trapped in a sinkhole in mine-ridden Marilla Park, Streator
Fire crews were then called and Macy was hauled out, and is now back with owners Liz and Tom Price.
Footage shows Streator fire chief Fred McClellan climbing into the hole himself to get Macy out.
Firefighters had to lift the 11-year-old dog out as she was too stiff to climb the ladder they had lowered down to her.
Afterwards Mrs Price said: ‘Tom was at park with Macy. They were done with their walk and Macy never wants to leave.
A ladder was put down the hole initially in the hopes Macy would climb out herself, but the elderly canine was unable to ascend it
‘He said he was sitting in his car waiting for her and wasn’t watching her for a couple minutes, and he looked up and she was gone.
‘Tom had seen a car go through park while he was sitting there that looked like my vehicle and thought maybe she had ran after the car and that someone took her, because there was not enough time for her to disappear.
‘He looked up and down the creek and could not find Macy.
Firefighters had to lift the 11-year-old dog out as she was too stiff to climb the ladder they had lowered down to her
After the rescue, Streator Animal Control shared a photo of a muddy Macy sitting in her owner’s car after being pulled from the sinkhole, writing, ‘Macy is HOME!!!’
The department also ensured she was checked out by a veterinarian after her rescue, after being returned to owners Liz and Tom Price.
Locals were asked to avoid Marilla Park, which Streator Animal Control noted ‘is built on mines,’ until the area was secure.