Yorkshire cave rescue mission continues for sixth day as desperate hunt for dog Rose continues

A massive rescue mission to save a little dog trapped underground in Halifax is still ongoing six days later. A group of volunteers have been working day and night to try and save the Jack Russell called Rose.

The dog is believed to have got trapped in an underground cave last Thursday. The fire service were called but left the rescue to a group of workers with power tools, who have been trying to get to the trapped animal.

Some of those helping had travelled from as far away as Scotland and Lancashire to the scene in West Yorkshire, in a bid to help save Rose. The worried owner is said to be at the scene as the rescue effort to free the animal continues.

On Tuesday volunteers made an appeal for experienced potholers to come forward and help. “We need any experienced pothole lads, the smaller your build the better. We are closer than ever to the dog but we need the help of any pot hole lads who are willing to try to enter the cave,” one of the volunteers asked on Facebook.

It is feared it could be another 48 hours before they reach Rose, as one post suggested they had another 14ft of solid stone to get through. It is believed Ros got stuck in a narrow gap underground in Mixenden, near Halifax, West Yorkshire last week.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were initially called out at 3.15pm on Thursday, 26 September. A spokesperson said: "We used cameras to look for the dog, and on the first go we couldn’t see it. On the second attempt, we caught a glimpse of it, but the cave was 12 inches at its widest and got narrower. There was no way anyone could get in.

"We would always do everything we can to rescue an animal, but this would require drilling and it might risk the structural integrity of the surrounding area. We left the rescue in the hands of the people who were there at the time."

Volunteers have since appealed for companies with cranes, drilling and digging equipment to help. One man’s machine, which was worth thousands of pounds, was broken during the efforts.

The man, called Ben, who is helping despite his partner about to give birth, posted online: “We’ve been flat out since four Friday afternoon. We’ve managed to get to where we can see the dog and get food to her.

“It’s took a lot of hard work from the lads who have turned up and mucked in. The lads are still flat out at it. I can’t tag everyone that’s been there as there’s been loads keep it up lads. I’ve given it as long as I can there to help…I need to get some rest for tomorrow for the birth of my daughter.”

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In another post on social media, one of the volunteers said the dog was heard barking at around 2.30am on Monday. They added: "The lads managed to drop some water down to her which she hopefully got to." Later food was also dropped down to the trapped dog.