Owner of elderly dog rescued from sewer describes reunion as 'best feeling in the world'

The owner of a dog that survived falling down a drain, prompting an eight-hour rescue operation, has said the moment they were reunited was the “best feeling in the world”.

Margaret Cumming, owner of 14-year-old Maizi, lost sight of her beloved cocker spaniel while out for a walk at Dunfermline’s Pittencrieff Park on Tuesday.

“It’s one of her favourite walking spots”, she told to STV News. “She was running quite well – she has arthritis but she was running well.

“Maizi came bouncing over the banking, she then passed me on the path and went down the banking and I saw her go down the banking and as she went down, she slipped and fell.

“I thought, ‘oh dear, what’s happened to her?’

“So I followed the footpath down and I couldn’t believe it when I got down I couldn’t see her, I thought ‘oh gosh, she’s fallen, she’s hurt’.”

Maizi was stuck in a drain for eight hours. Facebook

Maizi, who has arthritis and is deaf, fell down a nearby drain and was stuck in the tunnel at the bottom.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent six fire engines and specialist resources to the scene alongside a mine rescue team.

“A fireman came down, and he could see her at the bottom of the drain, walking about and sniffing about”, Margaret explained.

“There was no way out for her, and it was just absolutely and unbelievably horrific.

“There were so many rescue teams there that were determined not to give up on her. They tried with ropes to secure down her neck, they were throwing treats down the hole, they were asking my husband to stay at the stop of the drain to keep his scent.

“Then they brought a JCB in, and they managed to manoeuvre down the path, and they dug a hole, about six foot by six foot, and it started to the fill up with water.

“The fire brigade came down with a pump and started pumping out the water. When they were draining the water, low and behold, out walks Maizi. The water level had dropped, and she came out of the hole they had dug on the bottom.”

Maizi has arthritis and is deaf. STV News

Maizi was reunited with Margaret and Garry, before being checked over by a local vet and the all-clear – aside for a little dirt.

“I didn’t care how soaking wet she was, how smelly she was – she smelt like a sewer rat – it was just so overwhelming that we got her back”, Margaret said.

“Knowing she was in there, I just wanted her out. That was all I wanted.

“I didn’t care what way she came out. I just wanted her out. It was really horrific. She’s my dog, she’s my saviour, she’s my best friend. She’s just fab.

“But she made it, she’s out. It was just such a relief.

“You could almost hear the collective cheer when we got her out. Everyone has been absolutely fantastic.

“It was the worst feeling in the world, but also probably the best feeling.”

Maizi is now back home, enjoying some warmth and extra cuddles.