Activists save dog from 30-ft pit in midnight mission

They released twenty-four by seven helpline numbers to receive calls from people who find any animal in distress. On Saturday evening, Nishanth N received a call from Chitlapakkam, where a dog had fell into a 30-foot deep pit. “The dog apparently was in the pit for four to five hours. We suspect that it would have slipped in to the pit, which we were told was dug by the civic body authorities for drainage work and kept open. Thankfully, it was a crowded neighbourhood and those passing by heard the dog bark. They called other rescue helplines and finally reach us,” said Dinesh Baba, who along with a team of four other rescuers reached the spot past midnight. It was dark and the rescuers had a difficult task ahead. Since it was raining the surface of the pit was slushy. Water had gotten inside the pit and the animal was struggling in the water. 

Explaining the operation, Dinesh said, “With the help of a rope, I went inside the pit. It was dark and the walls of the pit was slippery and I was struggling to get any grip. As I reached to the dog, it turned aggressive. I had a net with me. I wrapped the dog in it and sent him up first. My friends on the other end ensured that it was pulled up to safety. Then they pulled me up.” Miraculously, the dog had not sustained any, says Dinesh, who has been busy with various other rescues. “The major challenge was that we didn’t have many equipment for the task and had to make do with whatever was available,” he added. Many animals go missing during the rains because they have to wander for shelter and food. Some unfortunate ones fall into open pits that are filled with water and even drown.