Puppy rescued after two nights in disused mineshaft

A beagle pup that spent two nights at the bottom of a disused mineshaft has been hoisted to safety in a dramatic rescue.

Cliff rescue coastguard volunteers descended 100ft down the mineshaft to rescue the frightened pup, which evaded a previous rescue effort that brought three other dogs to safety.

The dog’s owner was lowered to the mineshaft to help catch the frightened puppy.

The four dogs went missing while out walking with their owners on Sunday. They were found at the abandoned bauxite mine on Monday, where howling was heard coming from the bottom of the old mineshaft, hidden beneath thick undergrowth and briars.

Two beagle pups and a terrier were lifted to safety, after coastguard officials abseiled down the mineshaft and used a bucket and rope to deliver the dogs to safety. The pups, Peggy, Megan and Cracker were reunited with their owners, Patrick O’Sullivan and Graham Curley, from Leap. But the fourth pup, a 12-month-old beagle named Taylor, was nervous and ran off down the mineshaft.

Coastguard volunteer Will Gander guided Graham Curley down the mineshaft during yesterday’s rescue mission.

“The dog was cowering and growling and barking at us — she was really scared. The first day she ran from us so having Graham there made a big difference,” Mr Gander said.

Mr Curley had spent a night “tossing and turning” thinking about the puppy stuck down the mineshaft. “I knew I was dead safe but I was nervous. The dog was afraid, she was running about, she didn’t know if she was coming or going, but I was talking away to her to calm her down,” Mr Curley said.

Taylor was hoisted up from the rocky bottom of the mineshaft in a bag and was comforted by her owners as she emerged blinking and shaking into the sunlight.

“She’s definitely traumatised but it’s great to have her back,” Mr Curley said.