A dog of a day as rescue costs plumb new depths

FOR two miserable days his beloved pooch Todd was trapped in a stormwater drain, rescued only when desperate emergency crews cut up nearby pipes. 
 
Now owner John Simpson has been slugged with a $1900 bill - by the retirement village that owns the drain.

Todd, an 11-year-old German shepherd-ridgeback cross, was missing for 44 hours after breaking through Mr Simpson's back fence adjoining Bayview Gardens Retirement Village, on the northern beaches, last October.

Neighbours eventually heard whimpers from the drain and went to investigate, spotting the canine trapped several metres down and unable to move.

NSW Fire Rescue officers had to cut pipes underneath the drain to retrieve the dog, causing $1900 damage in the process.   Read More