Rescuers free hunting dog trapped in rock crevice in Luumäki

Rescuers freed a hunting dog alive after it became trapped in a narrow rock crevice in Luumäki, Yle reported. The dog was stuck for nearly two hours after chasing a raccoon dog at Myllysaarestinvuori mountain early Saturday.

Hunters could see that the dog was alive through a small opening but were unable to reach it. They called the emergency services, fire chief Arto Taina said on Sunday.

Rescuers used levers and winches to move the rocks. They first removed a small boulder from beneath a larger one, allowing them to dig into the ground and reach the dog.

The dog was eventually pulled out by its hind legs. The rescue operation lasted about two hours.

Taina said animal rescue missions are not unusual for rescue services, although incidents of this kind are rare. Domestic animals and pets are rescued from difficult situations from time to time.

Luumäki is in South Karelia, about 40 kilometres from Lappeenranta.