AN INVOLVED rescue was undertaken to recover a missing dog from a mine shaft on Wednesday morning.
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Boofa the red kelpie had been missing for about a week when his owners were alerted to the bush land area off Speary's road in Dereel by a local resident.
Boofa's owners immediately drove down to the area, which is understood to be close to their house, and during a thorough search, heard a faint bark in response to calling their beloved pooch's name.
He was located at the bottom of a four-metre deep mine shaft at approximately 10am.
The local Dereel country fire authority brigade initially responded to the call for assistance before a technical rescue unit from Geelong was called.
Lucas HAZMAT team also assisted with the rescue.
Commander Steve Alcock said atmospheric monitoring and shoring at the top of the hole was completed to ensure the mine shaft was safe for rescuers to enter before one of the six operators from the rescue unit was lowered down the shaft to rescue Boofa from his ordeal.
A hungry and exhausted Boofa was reunited with his relieved owners three hours later, at approximately 1.30pm.
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