Yancey County -- July 24, 2026: When an emergency call comes in, every second counts—especially when the victim is a four-legged partner trapped underground. Thanks to quick thinking and cross-county collaboration, a multi-agency rescue effort in Yancey County recently ended in the best possible way.
The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office posted the following update honoring the heroes who brought the dog home safely:
Yesterday, emergency responders from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office, Yancey County Emergency Management, Burnsville Volunteer Fire Department, and a technical rescue team from Mitchell County worked together to rescue a dog that had fallen into an abandoned mine shaft.
After a coordinated rescue effort, the dog was safely brought to the surface and was not seriously injured.
The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all of the agencies involved for their quick response, teamwork, and willingness to help. This incident is another example of what can be accomplished when neighboring agencies work together toward a common goal.
Image: Yancey County Sheriff's Office