Lynchburg Fire Crews Rescue Dog from Sinkhole

Winnie the dog fell into a 50-foot sinkhole that opened up in her owner's backyard

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Lynchburg Fire Department rescued a dog named Winnie after she fell into a 50-foot sinkhole that had opened up in her owner's backyard. Winnie's owner heard her yelp and found her at the bottom of the sinkhole, which was an old well that had collapsed. The fire department crews were able to safely retrieve Winnie from the sinkhole.

Why it matters

Sinkholes can pose a serious danger, especially in residential areas where pets and people may unexpectedly fall into them. This rescue highlights the importance of proper infrastructure maintenance and the quick response of emergency services to address these types of unexpected and hazardous situations.

The details

According to the Lynchburg Fire Department, Winnie's owner let her outside for a few minutes on Wednesday evening when she suddenly heard the dog yelp. The owner went outside to find Winnie at the bottom of a 50-foot sinkhole that had opened up in the backyard. The sinkhole was an old well that had collapsed. The fire department crews, who had just finished up working another call, were able to safely retrieve Winnie from the sinkhole.

  • On Wednesday evening around 8:30 pm, Winnie fell into the sinkhole in her owner's backyard.

The players

Winnie

A dog who fell into a 50-foot sinkhole in her owner's backyard.

Lynchburg Fire Department

The emergency response team that rescued Winnie from the sinkhole.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder for homeowners to be vigilant about potential sinkhole risks on their property and to have emergency plans in place in case a dangerous situation like this arises. The quick response of the Lynchburg Fire Department likely prevented a tragic outcome.