Cello's story

We were contacted by Cello’s owner on Monday evening after he had gone missing on a walk and was believed to be down a badger sett. The owners other dog indicated at the hole and the owner could hear Cello bark underground. We gave the basic advice of leaving scent items by the sett and calling and listening for him and if he hadn’t got himself out overnight we planned to go over the next day. 

Cello hadn’t appeared by morning so some of our team went over to assess. The drone was flown to check that he hadn’t gotten out then cameras were put up to monitor the hole. We were aware of the law of not being able to dig or interfere with badger setts and took advice from local badger groups and Natural England. 

The wait to apply for the license, 48 hours from entering sett, was stressful and at times we were going round in circles of who would issue the license and who needed to attend. 

It was also heart breaking being able to hear him barking and yelping because he could hear us above him. 

Finally, the application went in at midday on Wednesday then it was a few hours wait to assemble Natural England, the Fire Brigade and Notts Lost Dogs volunteers and permission from the landowner, Lady Helen Nall, was given to access the field the ground was assessed by the teams on the best way to dig and where to dig for the safety of Cello.  

It didn’t take long from start of digging before his eyes were seen and the hole was big enough for him to start wriggling out in to the arms of the fire brigade.  

Amazing team work from Natural England, the Newark Fire Brigade, Notts Police and thanks to Lady Helen for facilitating access to the emergency services and helping with the rescue.