PICS: Search for missing K9 called off after Jett presumed dead

Search efforts for Healthy Hound Missing Pet Search K9 Jett have gone from rescue to body recovery.

Jett went missing after falling down a manhole in Pretoria on Sunday. He was tracking a missing Jack Russell in the Hartbeesspruit nature area when he fell.

Pretoria Rekord reported his handler, Diane Logie, tried to save him, but was unable to reach him in time before he was swept away.

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One volunteer told Pretoria Rekord Logie was recovering from the ordeal, and was injured after she followed Jett down the manhole.

Logie fell roughtly three metres down a pipe until she landed in water. She was washed down next to an access pipe where she was able to escape using a ladder.

A massive search effort ensued, involving police, volunteers and the Tshwane Emergency Services Department.

The drain Jett fell into has fast-flowing water in drainage pipes, but on Monday, the search team was still hopeful they would find him alive.

Leader of the rescue effort, Christelle Brits, told the publication they hoped Jett caught himself on a grid, or at one of the bends in a pipe, and would stay put long enough for him to be rescued.

But on Monday evening, Healthy Hound posted a heartwrenching post on Facebook.

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“It is with heavy and reluctant hearts that we post this. All search efforts have been exhausted. It is now a body recovery. In the end, the Tshwane Emergency Services Department treated him like a missing human. They will help us continue searching for his body. Thank you to a great city.

“There are too many people to mention but thank you to each and every person who assisted us in searching and for each and every message. You gave your all. Thank you.

“Rest In Peace ‘Little Dog'”.

It was determined he would suffocate due to fumes from the sewage pipe.

Christelle Brits, who led the search party over the past two days, said “everything was done to try and find Jett.”

“All that is left now for everyone is to pray for Jett’s human family for peace and closure in their hearts. This was a very sad accident.”

Jett was tasked with recovering lost or stolen pets and wildlife, along with qualified pet detectives.

The missing Jack Russell, Freddie, was found on Monday night.

Compiled by Nica Richards. Additional reporting by Pretoria Rekord‘s Shaun Sproule.