Relieved couple are reunited with misplaced cockapoo who was caught down previous mine shaft for 54 hours

A pet cocakpoo has been reunited with its owners after it got lost and was trapped down an old mine shaft for 54 hours.

Poppy Jackson, 25, and Rob Mordica, 31, were distraught when their beloved pooch Dennis vanished on November 13.

Mr Mordica had taken Dennis for a walk but the pet disappeared in the Guisborough Woods, near the village of Hutton, east of Middlesbrough.

A 60-person manhunt was launched to locate Dennis and he was eventually found after being spotted down a narrow hole in the woods near to where he was last seen.

Mr Mordica heard barking underground and when he peered into the hole he spotted Dennis stuck 6ft below him.

The couple, of Thornberry, West Yorkshire, were eventually able to coax him out with treats.

Ms Jackson said: ‘There are a lot of open holes which apparently go down to the tunnels and he must have fallen down one of those.

‘I looked in one of the holes and saw his face, but he was obviously scared.

Poppy Jackson and Rob Mordica with Dennis after he was rescued from the old mine shaft after being stuck for 54 hours

Cockapoo Dennis got lost while on a walk with his owners in the Guisborough Wood close to Middlesbrough

Mr Mordica looking inside the old mine shaft that Dennis fell into

‘I tempted him to come closer by dropping treats and eventually Rob managed to get his arm down, put a slip lead on him and drag him about 6ft up to the surface.

‘He’d been missing for so long I really thought he might be dead, but apart from being completely exhausted and hungry, he seems to be okay.

‘He certainly slept well that night and has had plenty of hugs and cuddles.’

She added: ‘His recall is usually very good, but not this time. Something must have distracted him and he fell down the hole.

‘People should be extremely careful walking in this area and these openings must be fenced off.’