Dog trapped in underground well for days rescued after man hears distant barking

A stranded dog in Longview, Texas, was rescued from a 12-foot-deep well after a local renter heard faint barking beneath his floorboards. Initially thinking the sounds were coming from outside, the man—who wished to remain anonymous—soon realized they were coming from underneath his home. Concerned for the trapped animal, he reached out to local authorities for help.

As reported by The Washington Post, animal control officer Bobby Jumper arrived on February 24 to investigate the unusual situation. After carefully listening and inspecting the area, he discovered a short, stocky Basset hound mix staring up at him from the deep, rock-lined well. Despite being trapped, the dog wagged his tail at the sight of his rescuer.

“He was about as happy as could be to see me,” Jumper told the media.

Rescuing the dog from such a tight space wasn’t easy. Jumper called for backup from the Longview Fire Department, and the team worked together to create makeshift slings to lift the stranded pup. The process took three hours, and at one point, they even considered tearing up the floorboards to reach him. Fortunately, they managed to pull the dog out safely without damaging the home.

“The dog just came straight up, unscathed from the lift,” Jumper said in media reports. “It was an amazing feeling to get him out.”

After being rescued, the hungry pup quickly ate and drank what his rescuers provided. Authorities believe he had been stuck for days without food or water. A veterinarian later determined the dog was about two years old and had minor injuries, including an inflamed ear and a few cuts, but was otherwise healthy.

According to Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center director Jenna George, shelter staff went door to door trying to find the dog’s owner, but since he had no microchip or identification tags, no one came forward to claim him. The rescue team decided to name him Timmy, inspired by the boy from Lassie who frequently fell into wells.

“He became a favorite among staff,” George told the media. “He’s very sweet, very good, just wants loving and pets.”

One firefighter initially wanted to adopt Timmy, but the pup wasn’t a fan of his cats. Eventually, a Facebook post about the dog led to the perfect match, and Timmy was officially adopted on February 27.

To prevent another accident, officials sealed off the well beneath the home. The Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center later shared the heartwarming story on Facebook, writing:

"Thank you to everyone who played a part in this miraculous rescue. It’s a true reminder of the incredible bond between humans and animals and how a community comes together in times of need!"

Now, safe and loved in his new home, Timmy’s days of being trapped in the dark are behind him—proving that sometimes, it’s not just Lassie who does the rescuing.