30 responders rescue dog from pipe

MORGANTON, N.C., July 24 (UPI) -- Emergency responders in Morganton, N.C., said a hunting dog was rescued from a drainage pipe after a 13 1/2-half hour operation.

Burke County Emergency Medical Services Maj. Ken Anthony said the 'coon dog, named Dan, was exhausted and had a few scrapes after 18 hours in the pipe but was otherwise in good health and did not require veterinary attention, the Media General News Service reported Thursday.

Anthony said the Burke County Sheriff's Office, the Burke County Rescue Squad and the Lake James Fire Department were also involved in the rescue, which involved a total 30 rescue workers.

Sgt. Jeff Hibbard of Burke EMS and John Hood, a special operations paramedic, said the dog was wedged between two collapsed sections of the pipe about 15 feet beyond the reach of rescuers. They said they were eventually able to pull the canine out of his predicament by his hindquarters.

Wayne Lowman, Dan's owner, said the dog ran into the pipe after chasing a raccoon for a mile and a half.