Firefighters have rescued two curious puppies that broke into a tortoise den and were prevented from leaving by Oscar โ a huge 100-lb tortoise blocking the exit.
The 100-lb tortoise blocked the dogsโ exit out of the den and firefighters were called to dig them out.
After all attempts to coax Oscar out of the way with watermelon pieces proved, well, fruitless, firefighters spent over an hour digging a tunnel to the dogsโ position.
The two pooches, named Peo and Finn, were then reunited with concerned owner Kathleen.
The footage shows the fire team arriving on the scene and trying to coax Oscar out of the hole with the watermelon.
Firefighters then dig the tunnel into the den and rescue the two dogs as Kathleen eggs them on.
Firefighters rescue two 5-month-old puppies, named Finn and Poe, stuck in 100-pound tortoiseโs den, in Yucca Valley, California, USA, on June 19. (San Bernardino County Fire/Zenger)
San Bernardino County Fire Department said on June 22: โFire crews were requested for a unique public service call in Yucca Valley.
โTwo curious five-month-old puppies had made their way into a tortoise den and were unable to exit due to a 100 lb tortoise blocking their exit. Residents were worried as the dogs had been in the den for multiple hours and were silent.
โSBCoFD ME42 & MA42 arrived to find a large underground tortoise den with two puppies inside and a 100-lb tortoise blocking the exit.
โFirefighters attempted to coax Oscar, a large desert tortoise from its den, so firefighters could get to the puppies. Crews used a tasty watermelon treat to attempt to coax the tortoise from the den.
Firefighters rescue two 5-month-old puppies, named Finn and Poe, stuck in 100-pound tortoiseโs den, in Yucca Valley, California, USA, on June 19. (San Bernardino County Fire/Zenger)
โThe tasty watermelon trick was unsuccessful and firefighters went to plan B, digging.
โWith Oscar blocking the exit, crews worked to dig an access hole to rescue the dogs. After an hour of digging crews were able to get the puppies out of the den.
โPeo and Finn were unharmed and happy to reunite with their dog mom Kathleen.โ
The police added: โWe are glad we could assist with this unique call and there was such a positive outcome!โ
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