PORT ANGELES — Firefighters successfully rescued a dog that fell into a newly formed sinkhole in a backyard west of Port Angeles on Saturday afternoon.

Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue responded around 1:00 PM to the 600 block of Power Plant Road after reports that Rip, a 60-pound husky mix, was trapped about 10 feet down. The property owner had noticed the sinkhole—a two-foot-wide depression that had suddenly appeared earlier that day—and found the dog stuck at the bottom.

Crews secured the area and assessed the scene, calling in technical rescue specialists from Clallam County Fire District #3. After air monitoring confirmed safe conditions, initial attempts to lift Rip out with a harness were unsuccessful. Firefighter/EMT Matt Aston then descended into the hole using a small ladder, secured the dog, and brought him to the surface around 3:00 PM.

Despite being shaken, Rip was unharmed and quickly reunited with his owners.