Above: The micro-chipped dog was stuck in quicksand for six hours in Lynbrook on the weekend.By Bridget Brady
The dog was stuck in a 12-metre-deep old quarry in the Lynbrook area on Sunday when Barrie Tapp from the Animal Cruelty Hotline in Cranbourne spotted the dog.
“I was checking up on some cattle that were in the fires on Saturday when I saw these two ears sticking up out of the quicksand,” Mr Tapp said. “It was unbelievable.”
If not for Mr Tapp, the dog might not be alive today.
“I saw a fellow sitting there and he said ‘we have got a dog in the quarry and I’ll have to shoot him’. I said hang on a minute, and I rang Nigel (Williamson) and we organised a terrific plan to get her out.”
Mr Tapp and Mr Williamson, from Nigel’s Animal Rescue, started their long rescue mission with two inflatable jet skis.
“They were like boogie boards. We took it one step at a time. It was a very slow and careful process.”
The “tedious but gratifying” rescue took about four hours, Mr Tapp said.
“We took him to the RSPCA for vet attention and apart from some shock he is doing very well.”
Mr Tapp said it was likely the dog had run away from its home due to the fires, and got stuck in the mud. The dog’s owners had not come forward when the News went to print.
Mr Tapp said the CFA spotted the dog and had called Mr Tapp to rescue what they thought was a fox.
“It was very lucky to be spotted.”
Mt Tapp said he was not willing to have the dog shot, because no rescue had been attempted.
“Everything has got a chance. You’ve got to give them a chance first and see how it goes and then think about an alternative.”
Lucky for the kelpie, Mr Tapp arrived just in time.
“We have named him ‘Lucky’ … we’re thrilled to bits about it. Everything turned out well.”
