On August 17, a dog named Cello went missing during a walk with his owner, Stephen Smith, in Nottinghamshire. Cello had been out with another dog when he suddenly vanished, leaving his walking companion to return home alone. Concerned, Stephen began searching for Cello immediately, but he had accidentally wandered into a badger sett and became trapped over two feet underground.
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His owner quickly reached out to Notts Lost Dogs, a specialized animal search and rescue team. Using a specialized camera, the team located Cello underground and could hear him barking, indicating that he was still alive.
However, the rescue had to be delayed until a license was obtained from Natural England, as badger setts are legally protected in the UK. During this waiting period, Stephen faced an agonizing ordeal, struggling to eat or sleep as he worried for Cello's safety.
Once the license was approved, rescuers from Notts Lost Dogs, accompanied by firefighters, police officers, and representatives from Natural England, commenced the rescue operation. They carefully excavated part of the sett while ensuring that no badgers were inside. Eventually, the team spotted Cello's eyes peering through the soil. After widening the opening, Cello managed to scramble out.
Though he was a bit dehydrated and hungry, Cello was otherwise in good condition. Back home, he slept for about 24 hours to recover before returning to his usual energetic self, already eager for another walk.