The Lebanon Fire Department (LFD) responded to a mutual aid request from the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency Tuesday regarding a dog that had fallen into a sinkhole on Beasleys Bend Road. The dog, identified as JoJo, had been trapped for approximately three days.
Upon arrival, LFD personnel assessed the situation and determined that the sinkhole was approximately 18 to 20 feet deep. JoJo was located on a lower ledge, estimated to be about 7 to 8 feet below the initial position of the rescuers.
To facilitate the rescue, LFD set up a rope system to lower a firefighter into the sinkhole. The firefighter conducted a thorough assessment of the area’s stability and determined the appropriate tools required for the operation. Over the course of about two hours, the team employed careful digging techniques and attempted to use a dog-catching pole to reach JoJo.
After persistent efforts, the firefighter successfully secured JoJo, placing him in a gear bag for safe extraction. JoJo was then hoisted to the surface and reunited with his owners.