Family's relief after missing dog is rescued from foxhole under Glasgow garage

Pet owners are breathing a sigh of relief after their missing dog Bailey was pulled to safety by emergency services after being found trapped in a foxhole.

The Lakeland terrier could be heard barking from where he was stuck under commercial garage Drakemire Tyres in Drakemire Drive, Polmadie, after he went missing on Sunday, 7 March.

The owners, who live in the Polmadie area, had spent the entire day looking for their family pet and called the emergency services once they heard the pooch crying out for help from underneath the concrete that afternoon.

A three and a half hour rescue mission ensued with the help of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and the SSPCA which saw the dog safely returned to his owners’ arms.

Bailey the dog was rescued after becoming trapped in a foxhole underneath a garage in Glasgow picture: SSPCA

Owner Ian Latter said: “Bailey is a family dog and he is very special so we were very worried when he went missing.

“The whole family was out looking for him. When we realised he was under the garage, we contacted the fire service who were amazing.

“We are so pleased with the outcome. Everyone who attended, the fire service and USAR, Drain Tek and the Scottish SPCA were all determined to get Bailey out and were not for giving up. We are so grateful to all involved.

“Hopefully Bailey will know better than to dash off down a hole in the future and we will be keeping a close eye on him!”

Bailey the Lakeland terrier is now back with his owners picture: SSPCA

SFRS sent a specialist team, urban search and rescue (USAR), who used ultra-sensitive microphones to try and pinpoint Bailey’s exact location.

Drain Tek, a drainage company, also assisted by using a fibre optic camera to investigate the hole to see if Bailey could be seen.

SSPCA animal rescue officer Amy Stirton said: “We are so pleased that through this collaborative rescue, Bailey was successfully rescued with just a few minor scrapes. He is now back with his very relieved family.

“George and Mark from Drain Tek located Bailey with specialist equipment and were able to enlarge the access to get him out.

“We would also like to thank Peter from Drakemyre Tyres who gave us access to his garage on a Sunday.

“And, of course, we are so thankful to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and USAR.”

Crew Commander Ross McDade from SFRS said: “We were alerted at 5.02pm on Sunday, March 7 to reports of a dog trapped beneath the floor of a commercial garage in Glasgow

“Operations Control mobilised one appliance from Polmadie, Glasgow and an urban search and rescue team from Cumbernauld.

“Crews used specialist equipment to break through concrete. One dog was released and handed into the care of the Scottish SPCA.

“As a humanitarian organisation, SFRS crews use their technical training and expertise as well as specialist equipment to rescue animals. This can prevent members of the public placing themselves at risk by trying to effect their own rescue.”

An SSPCA spokesman added: “If anyone spots an animal in need of help they should call the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

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