A 15-year-old Chihuahua named Lucy is safe and reunited with her family after spending three days trapped in a deep tortoise den in her owners’ backyard. The blind and deaf senior dog fell into the den on Friday night and was finally rescued on Tuesday evening.
The Arizona Humane Society and local fire department initially attempted to recover Lucy but were unable to navigate the den’s depth and twists. That’s when Samson’s K9 Search & Rescue stepped in, along with the help of 100% Plumbing from Glendale.
“I saw a post from Jason, whose parents owned Lucy, on a Facebook group. He explained they were desperate for help with their dog stuck in a tortoise den and didn’t know what to do,” said Kim Powell from Samson’s K9 Search & Rescue. Kim said they were about to give up on saving Lucy. Hearing this led to Kim heading out to rescue her.
The rescue was no ordinary effort. The den was over 9 feet deep with nearly 30 feet of horizontal tunnels, curving multiple times. “Opening the den was not an option. The risk of a collapse, especially near a tree, was too great,” Powell explained. “We had to strategize with the tight space and fragile conditions, particularly for such a small dog.”
Using a custom snare designed by Powell, a camera, and specialized plumbing tools, the team carefully maneuvered through the tunnel. “Lucy was so light and fragile that she kept slipping out of the loop,” Powell said. “We had to be extremely patient to get the equipment into position without hurting her.”
After six hours of delicate work and multiple attempts, Lucy was finally pulled to safety.
Powell credited the successful rescue to the collaboration with 100% Plumbing, who provided essential tools and expertise.
Currently, Lucy is being treated at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Peoria. Her family is encouraging the community to help with Lucy’s medical expenses. Donations can be made directly through BluePearl’s website.
Powell emphasized that her organization is entirely self-funded, allowing her to offer assistance free of charge. She believes no one should hesitate to seek help in emergencies like this due to financial concerns. “These situations can be incredibly costly, but if you love your dog and it needs help, everyone deserves that chance,” Powell said.
To donate to Lucy, go to BluePearl’s website, select the Peoria location, and enter the patient’s name as Lucy Montijo.
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