Jeffreys Bay – Gypsy, a three-year-old Australian Cattle Dog, has been reunited with his family after going missing for 15 days, ultimately being found trapped in a three-metre-deep manhole in Jeffreys Bay.
The emotional rescue operation concluded on 12 August, bringing relief to owner Tyler Pelser, who had conducted an extensive search covering over 3,000 kilometres.
Pelser said the ordeal began on 28 July when Gypsy jumped off his bakkie during a routine trip following a fishing excursion.
He said Gypsy had been riding on his bakkie since he was a puppy, and over the past three years, this was the first time he had ever jumped off after the leash clip snapped on his body harness.
“The moment I realised he had jumped off the back, I turned around and raced to where it happened, but he was nowhere to be found,” said Pelser.
He said he then proceeded to inform his fiancée, Danell Harmse, and his mom, Chantall Pelser, who quickly put an ad on her Facebook page and various other lost pet groups.
Pelser said the days following Gypsy’s disappearance were emotionally and mentally exhausting.
“I had to go to the doctor, get booked off work, and take a month’s leave so I could conduct the search and rescue,” said Pelser.
“I blamed myself completely, so I felt I had to be the one searching 24 hours a day.”
Pelser said the breakthrough finally came on 12 August when a local resident, Natasha de Klerk, reported hearing howling from a nearby house.
He said that at about 21:00, he went on foot patrol in an open field behind De Klerk’s house.
Pelser was armed with nothing but a two-way radio, which he used to communicate with Harmse while he searched.
“As I moved further into the field and closer to the sound, I heard a gut-wrenching howl coming from the ground,” said Pelser.
He said that when he discovered the open manhole, he found Gypsy looking up at him.
While calling out “Pappa is hier; Pappa gaan jou red”, Pelser said Gypsy’s ears went flat, and his tail started wagging.
He said he called out to Harmse on the two-way radio, and she ran towards them to assist.
With adrenaline taking over, Pelser said he then jumped into the manhole, which had an overwhelming urine smell, to rescue Gypsy.
“He still had his body harness on, so I clipped the leash, picked him up, and lifted him as high as I could so Danell could grab his harness and pull him out. I don’t remember how I climbed out because the adrenaline had taken over,” said Pelser.
Gypsy was immediately rushed to Cape Cross Vet in Jeffreys Bay, where he was treated for dehydration and weight loss.
“His recovery has been excellent and steady, and he’s quickly getting back to his old self with lots of love, attention and a special diet,” said Pelser.
“Gypsy is everything to us, along with our Maltese Poodle, Siska. They are like children to us.”
The search effort highlighted the power of community support, with numerous volunteers joining the rescue operation.
Pelser said they were blessed by the reaction and assistance from the community.
He said the support was amazing, with donations ranging from diesel to home-cooked meals.
“We could never have conducted this massive search without the community’s help,” said Pelser.
“We will never forget the love shown to us and our boy. Thank you to everyone who stood by us, prayed, searched, donated, and helped bring our boy home.”
Reflecting on the ordeal, Pelser said he is grateful they persevered and never gave up on their search to find Gypsy.
“I was mentally and physically prepared to find him in any scenario. The not knowing was the hardest part, but it drove me to follow every single lead, keep faith, and never be afraid to ask for help,” said Pelser.
The rescue operation involved several community members, including Bo van Niekerk, Marius Dreyer from Jeffreys Bay Neighbourhood Watch, Freddie van Der Wyk, Nathan Muller, Mekayla Roux, Johan Longland and his daughter, Luzandri Longland, David Phelan from law enforcement and Rachelle Harmse.
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