UPDATE: 11.55 July 29
Great news – Sushi the Labrador has been rescued from the manhole that he fell into earlier this morning. It took a massive team of rescuers an entire morning to free the elderly dog, but he is finally safe.
Sushi is currently being seen to by a local vet. Updates will follow as they become available.
UPDATE – 11.20 July 29
The Johannesburg Roads Agency is now involved in the rescue operation. They are have removed a section of the tarred road that would enable the team to access the storm water drain. By removing the tar, they can then dig through the ground and widen the opening to enable a rescuer to get to Sushi. This has however now been stopped, and the rescuers are once again trying to reach the dog from the other side of the road.
Northcliff Melville Times journalists Andile Dlodlo and Neo Phashe are on scene and are providing constant updates to this story.
Why is it so difficult to reach Sushi? He seems to have entered into a storm water drain under the road. Kennel Manager of the Randburg SPCA, Cynthia Besuidenhout supplied the following photo, to show just how difficult this rescue is. In the picture, Sushi can be seen in the distance.
UPDATE – 11.00 July 29 – Who is this dog
With so many people currently working to save a dog that earlier today fell into an open manhole, he must be pretty special. Northcliff Melville Times has learned that the dog involved is a 14-year-old male* Labrador, named Sushi.
Rescuers are currently doing everything in their power to get to Sushi, and to bring him out of the hole safely. He has been stuck since about 07.00, with no access to food or water. Rescuers able to see and reach him, but cannot pull him out. They are currently trying to get water to him.
*Northcliff Melville Times previously reported that Sushi was a femle. This is incorrect, he is male. We apologise for the error.
UPDATE – 09.15 July 29
No effort is being spared as the operation to rescue a dog that fell into an open manhole continues this morning.
A TLB has been brought in, to assist in the rescue of the dog. Shiven Bodasing from the Randburg SPCA confirmed that there was no other choice but to use the machinery to open up the manhole cover, as the dog could not be reached.
After attempts to use an air chisel also failed to open the space, rescuers are now using an electric saw to try to cut into it.
Police, security officers, Johannesburg Roads Agency officials, Randburg SPCA and emergency services are among those present working to release the dog.
The Randburg SPCA confirmed that although they have attempted to lure the dog out using food, it is too afraid, and is not willing to eat at this stage.
INITIAL REPORT
A massive operation is currently underway in which a team of rescuers is attempting to save a dog that has fallen into an open manhole.
The incident occurred on Kessel Street in Fairland, and is being attended to by police, security services, emergency services and the Randburg SPCA.
According to Randburg SPCA inspector Shiven Bodasing, the organisation was contacted about the small Labrador that had fallen into the hole, shortly after 7am this morning (July 29).
He explained that the hole would need to be excavated in order to reach the dog, as it was currently out of reach. At this stage, it appears as though the dog is inside a pipe that runs below the road.
Attempts are being made from both sides of the road to reach it. Bodasing assured the community that the organisation had carried out such operations before, and it was expected that a breakthrough would be made soon.
This is a developing story. Northcliff Melville Times journalists are on scene, and will provide updates as they become available.
