Fire Crews Rescue 200-Pound Dog in Sinkhole

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Crews in San Luis Obispo County have rescued a 200-pound Mastiff dog that fell into a 20-foot deep backyard sinkhole.

Capt. Damien Juarez of Calfire and San Luis Obispo fire department, says crews hoisted the hefty dog to safety around 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

Officials say the dog's owner reported that the animal had fallen into the hole in the backyard of the home in the Nipomo area shortly before 9 p.m. Friday. The hole is approximately 20-feet deep and 3-feet wide.

Juarez says the county's Technical Rescue Team and fire crews lowered a rescuer into the hole who placed a harness on the dog and then the crews pulled it up.

He says the animal was barking during the operation, but doesn't have an update on its condition. A veterinarian was at the scene.

The dog's owner told authorities the sinkhole is believed to the remains of an old concrete well.