Community spirit saves dog trapped for two days

After two nights jammed in a deep crevice after falling between huge boulders, the now-famous staffordshire terrier, Jax, eventually crawled his own way out early on Monday afternoon, January 16.

It wasn’t long before the local community rallied when the dog’s owner, Brian Barron, put out a call via Facebook for anyone with a jack hammer to help free the dog from the narrow crevice on his property at Wyong Creek.

Local animal rescue Facebook page, Millys Search and Trap Community Group, was bombarded with offers of help to pass on to Jax’s owner.

A two-day multi-agency and community rescue got underway in the difficult access location because of the inability to get large machinery in.

“I thought there was no way they were going to get him out from where he was stuck,” Barron said in a television interview.

“It was a great relief, it was fantastic, I can’t be any more thankful and appreciative for all the people that came and helped.

“I think what happened is that he’s chased an animal or something into a burrow and got stuck – all we could see was his eyes through a tiny little crack between the rocks.

“It was very lucky; I was out looking for him in the morning after I noticed him missing and I could hear him barking but couldn’t find where it was coming from.

“I went back out in the afternoon and followed the barking and actually heard the barking coming from inside a rock,” Barron said.

Early on Monday afternoon resilient Jax eventually emerged on his own through a dug out section to cheers and applause from a very relieved rescue team.

Jax has since been given the all clear from the RSPCA vets.

“Thank you to everyone who helped free Jax and all the offers of help from the community,” Barron said.

“Special thanks to Central Coast Asbestos removal, Caves Rescue NSW, Mines Rescue, RSPCA and all the tradies that came to help.

“I appreciate the amazing response from our community and relieved at the result,” Barron said.

Sue Murray