Dog rescued after four days trapped in badger sett

Telegraph

05-08-2025

A dog has been rescued after it became stuck in a badger sett for four days.
Multiple attempts to rescue Sherlock, a Lakeland terrier, involved gamekeepers, the fire service, drones and other dogs wearing trackers.
Mandy McGrath, Sherlock's owner, was on a walk at Bampton's Ridgeway Woods, near Carlisle, when the dog chased a rabbit, and headed out of sight.
The four-year-old dog ran into a badger sett, and ended up 6 feet below ground, where it remained for four days until it was rescued with the help of a dog called Shrek.
Mike McGrath, Mandy's husband, told The Telegraph that they initially believed Sherlock may have just run off chasing something 'a little more interesting than a stick'.
However, they began to think Sherlock was underground when his collar GPS lost signal.
A search ensued, explained Mr McGrath, and they discovered 'a number of holes, maybe four' which they realised were 'entrances to a large badger sett'.
The community were quick to lend a hand, with Sherlock's half brother, George, being deployed in an attempt to 'sniff out' the dog.
A drone was sent up to scan the area and scent dogs were used, but as time went by, the McGrath's became more convinced that Sherlock was underground.
With the help of a local gamekeeper, the couple contacted the RSPCA to check if the badger sett was empty. As, if it was clear, it would enable them to call the fire service for assistance.
The local fire service also got involved with thermal imaging cameras to try and see if Sherlock was underground, but had no luck locating the dog.
Next to help, gamekeepers sent another terrier into the inactive sett, wearing a tracker that Mr McGrath said was 'similar to the ones they use in avalanches', which would enable those on the surface to see where the dogs were inside the sett.
Mr McGrath said that watching the search go on for a number of days left him with a 'sense of despair'. He added: 'I couldn't help, I couldn't do anything'.
He explained that the help of the gamekeeper, who dug another hole nearby Sherlock's last known location, was likely vital to keeping the dog alive.
Mr McGrath told the BBC: 'Had that not been done, we might have been too late because of the tightness of the hole.'
He said he believes Sherlock likely got stuck in the hole when chasing a rabbit, and became unable to turn around and exit.
The eventual rescue, on day four of the search, was prompted by Gordon Bottomley, a volunteer with the North Yorkshire Fell and Moorland Working Terrier Club.
Mr Bottomley brought ten of his thirteen dogs to the Carlisle woodlands and he sent his own terrier, named Shrek, into the sett.
Those on the surface heard two dogs barking, indicating that Shrek had found Sherlock, and Gordon dug down into the sett to retrieve the missing dog.
Mr Bottomley told the BBC: 'To see someone's beloved pet come out and their reaction – the grin was from ear to ear.'
He explained: ' The terrier is the only dog that will go below ground and seek out vermin and that's why, over hundreds of years, they've been bred for that purpose.'
Mr McGrath said the effort of their community had been 'extraordinary', adding: 'You suddenly find out just how interested people are in helping, particularly those who've got dogs and are familiar with the kind of feelings you might have.'
Sherlock is now back home, and Mr McGrath said the dog is doing 'much better now'.