How Ned the Doberman was saved from an 8m mineshaft near Ballarat

THINGS looked pretty grim for Ned the Doberman after he fell down a deep mine shaft near Ballarat and remained there — trapped — for more than a day … until the beloved dog’s desperate owners heard his faint barks.

THE faint barks of a beloved dog trapped in an 8m mine shaft for more than 24 hours has led to his dramatic rescue.

Ned, an 11-month-old Doberman, vanished during a walk at a national park near Ballarat on Thursday night.

Desperate owners Brad Hoye and Cam Fithall scoured the bushland for hours and had given up all hope.

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Then they heard their faithful companion’s muffled barks.

“He just went berserk when he heard my voice,” Ms Fithall said.

“He was barking and crying.

“Although he was moving freely he was clearly distressed.”

Dozens of CFA firefighters responded to the aid of the stricken pooch — one firey dramatically abseiling down the narrow mineshaft and plucking Ned to safety on Friday afternoon.

Ned the Doberman with owners Brad Hoye and Cam Fithall and Invermay CFA firefighters who helped save him from an 8m mineshaft. Picture: Jason Edwards

The 8m mineshaft Ned was trapped in for more than a day. Picture: Jason Edwards

“It was virtually pitch dark but the rescuer bear hugged Ned as he was slowly brought to the surface,” Ms Fithall said.

“As soon as he hit the ground he went berserk. He was hungry, thirsty, stressed and filthy yet unbelievably, it would seem, perfectly healthy.

“After not eating for a day he inhaled the handful of dog treats I had, he was obviously hungry and so happy to be out.”

Brad Hoye and Cam Fithall with 11-month-old Doberman dog Ned. Picture: Jason Edwards

Ned’s relieved owners were in awe of their pet’s rescuers, from the nearby Invermay and Ballarat City brigades. They reunited yesterday.

“The CFA were fantastic,’’ Ms Fithall said.

“Even though it was highly dangerous for them they risked their own lives for your happiness and your dog’s life.

“They’re treating your dog like a human being, because they realise how important he is to you.”

Thankyou to the CFA teams that pulled Ned out of this 8m mineshaft in Nerrina this evening in the dark virtually inaccessible terrain. He was hungry, thirsty, stressed & filthy - yet unbelievably, it would seem, perfectly healthy. pic.twitter.com/jD8MFVT7Db

— Cam (@bij413) August 24, 2018

Invermay CFA captain Daryl Rowe said the bushland, part of the Nerrina Sate Forest, was “peppered” with mineshafts.

“The dog was reluctant to come out — he was a bit frightened,” Mr Rowe said.

“It was a really good outcome.

“The owners were extremely grateful and the dog was extremely happy.”

Ned’s enthusiasm for walkies hasn’t waned despite the underground ordeal.

But Mr Hoye and Ms Fithall were keeping their miracle hound on his leash yesterday.

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