All’s well after dog rescued after falling into deep well

MIDDLEBORO — With dogged determination, first responders rescued a year-old blue heeler named Bandit Sunday, Nov. 24 after the canine became trapped in a 25-foot well on Bishop Avenue.

Fire and police departments from Middleboro and surrounding towns and the Plymouth County Technical Rescue Team responded to a call from Nicole and Terry Balestra, whose dog ran out their door, but didn’t return.

Terry called for the dog and followed his yelping response to a pile of leaves on an adjacent property. Puzzled, she kicked aside the leaves and found what appeared to be a hole.

A neighbor informed her otherwise. Bandi had fallen down an uncovered well that was about 25 feet deep and 18 inches wide and filled with about two feet of cold water.

She looked down and could see his eyes in the distance. “We didn’t know if he was hurt,’’ she said.

When members of the technical rescue team arrived, time was spent securing the scene to ensure the well wouldn’t collapse, endangering both the human rescuer and the dog.

The rescuer was lowered into the well by a tripod. She attached a carabiner to Bandit.

And after about a two-hour rescue effort that was “heartwrenching, frustrating [and] emotional,’’ Nicole said, Bandit was brought out safely.

While the rescue was ongoing, Middleboro animal control officers comforted Terry, advised her to start her car and blast the heat so the dog could be as warm as possible and then brought towels and blankets to wrap Bandit in. 

She was warned that the dog could go into shock from hypothermia. Arrangements were made to immediately transport Bandit to Cape Cod Animal Hospital. 

Veterinarians there determined the dog’s temperature was normal and advised her to keep a close eye on him in the days ahead. The dog could become sick from the algae in the water, they were told, although, they pointed out with relief, this apparently did not happen. 

Nearly 24 hours later, Bandit was quieter than normal, Terry and her wife Nicole noted, and his claws were ground down from his attempts to climb out. And, they suspect by her movements that she is somewhat sore. 

But, the women noted, the situation could have been far worse. And they warn the public of the dangers of uncapped wells.

They also thanked the rescuers for their efforts. “I've never seen anything like it,’’ Nicole wrote on social media.  All those people for us. So, so, so many people. I'm so thankful. So so so thankful.’’

She said that although Bandit is not human, “he knows that we are his humans.’’

She noted that when the couple’s two young children watched the effort from the window of their home, “what they saw was a town and a neighborhood come together to help.’’

The family moved into Middleboro three years ago and they are glad they did, Nicole said.

“I’m so happy we’re here. Everybody’s been amazing in this town. We made the right decision.’’