Estherville, IA (KICD) — Estherville Police Officers and Firemen worked together to rescue an elderly dog early this morning.

According to Police Chief Brent Shatto, the dog’s owner called the Estherville Police Department a little after 3 am this morning reporting that she could hear her dog barking from a ravine behind her house in the Orchard Lane neighborhood. Officers searched the area and found the dog, named Tupelo, in a sinkhole created by a drainage tile about 3 feet around and 3 feet deep.

Tupelo was wedged about 4 feet further into the bottom of that hole wedged into the cement tile. Officers then requested assistance from Estherville Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Travis Sheridan and Firemen were also dispatched to the scene.

Members of the Police Department, Firemen, City Electricians and Street Department, along with Veterinary Dr. Arlen Omtevdt and fellow neighbors all helped to dig around the tile to free the dog, using both shovels and a Ditchwitch.

After a few hours of combined effort, Tupelo was safely removed from the hole and is now back home with his happy owners.