A gamekeeper climbed head-first into a pipe hole on a moor to rescue a lost dog.
Jazz, a cocker spaniel, had gone missing while out with her owner Karen da Rosa picking up game at a grouse shoot on Invermark Estate in the Angus Glens on Tuesday.
After a major search of the area, estate gamekeepers discovered the pooch had entered a pipe hole when they heard breathing at an opening.
Unfazed gamekeeper Johnny Stevenson then pushed himself into the hole head-first to make sure they had found Jazz before she was dug out and returned to her very relieved owner.
Johnny, who, along with Jazz, ended up covered in mud following the rescue, said: “It’s never a nice feeling when a dog goes missing.
“Karen had resigned herself to her dog being lost due to the length of time she was missing, so once she was located it was a massive relief to everyone.
“Our head keeper stopped the shoot to look for her and managed to locate her down a pipe hole, which is an underground peat chamber that lets the water run, by listening for her breathing.
“After digging about six feet of wet peat we broke through and pulled the dog out. It was very happy to see us.”
It was only on a second search of the area that gamekeepers discovered Jazz, and Karen was left wondering if she would ever find her beloved dog in the vast area.
Karen said: “I couldn’t thank the Invermark heroes enough for saving Jazz and everyone on the shoot took the time to search. What an awesome team. She actually came out toastie warm and happy as punch, surprisingly.
“I thought she’d be freezing and in shock. I think the mud pack kept her warm. We’re one lucky little dog and owner.”
