Rescuers dig up road to save stuck dog

South county firefighters and utility personnel rescued a dog that was stuck in a culvert in Topaz Ranch Estates on Wednesday.

The male vizsla named Obiwan was missing for four days according to his owners.

Douglas County Animal Care and Services workers estimate that Obiwan had been stuck in the culvert for at least two days.

"We suspect that he may have been chasing after a rabbit or small animal and ended up in the culvert," said Animal Service Officer Liz Begovich. "There was a mound of compacted dirt halfway through the culvert that blocked him from crawling to the other side. His back was a little raw from trying to turn around and he was very hungry and dehydrated."

Begovich said people heard the dog bark and whine, but couldn't find out where the noise was coming from.

"Finally they figured out that a dog was stuck underneath the road," Begovich said.

Obiwan had to be dug out of the culvert by a backhoe provided and operated by the Topaz Ranch Estates General Estates General Improvement District with support from East Fork Fire & Paramedics District personnel.

"They tore the road apart in order to help us rescue someone's dog out of a culvert without hesitation or complaint."

Begovich said Obiwan was seen by a vet and will be fine.