Senior Dog Meatball Pulled to Safety From Storm Drain in St Tammany Parish

A 17-year-old Shih Tzu mix named Meatball, who is both blind and deaf, was rescued after being trapped for nearly 30 hours in a storm drain in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. Because of Meatball's advanced age and physical limitations, there were, of course, very real fears about his ability to make his way back home. Senior pets like Meatball can become disoriented in unfamiliar surroundings, which increases the risk of them becoming lost.

That fear became reality when Meatball vanished from his home on September 1. Meatball's AirTag pinged from a road near his house. His family searched the area without success. The next day, Meatball's owners heard barking from a drain, which thankfully confirmed he was alive but unable to escape.

The dark storm drain where 17-year-old Meatball was trapped for nearly 30 hours before being rescued. Photo credit: St. Tammany Fire Protection District 3 via Facebook

Crews from St. Tammany Fire Protection District 3 and the parish Department of Public Works responded, along with neighbors. The firefighters crawled through culverts, while the public works team opened sections of the drainage system from above.

Rescuers with Meatball after removing him from the storm drain. Photo credit: St. Tammany Fire Protection District 3 via Facebook

After more than three hours navigating the drainage system that connects to the bayou, the rescue team found Meatball deep inside and brought him out safely. Tired and covered in mud but unharmed, he was reunited with his family.

Meatball’s owner, Chuck Gorney, visits with the rescuers to thank them for their dedication and compassion. Photo credit: St. Tammany Fire Protection District 3 via Facebook

Grateful for their efforts, Meatball's owner, Chuck Gorney, later visited with the rescuers to express his thanks to the team for their dedication and compassion.