Max – The Rescue Of The Century

Submitted by Ursula Hope of Linmeyer Community Animal Rescue Association (LCARA)

Professional photography by Digital Worx Photography  

“Dog trapped on a rock on Glenvista Koppie – barking for a while – no one can reach him.” The frantic message came through on the 15^th of February 2026, at 18h21.

And Adell Breedt didn’t hesitate. There’s no time to think in moments like that – you just move!

Written by Adell Breedt

I received a message from a community member saying a dog was stuck on a rock on Glenvista Koppie, a towering rocky hill between Pryke and Kolberg, Johannesburg. It had desperately been barking for some time.

I immediately got into my car to see how we were going to get to him. Very quickly it became clear this wasn’t going to be an easy rescue.

By the time we reached the house from which the pin location was sent, you could already hear him. That bark. Not an aggressive bark. A terrified one. The kind that tells you an animal knows it’s in trouble.

We hurried into the back garden. People were standing there, looking over the wall. But the wall was high – too high to even see clearly where the dog was trapped several metres below.

With the help of someone I know who lives in Pryke Street, I was able to gain access. Using a ladder, I scrambled over the wall and made my way down the steep rocky face of the koppie while there was still light. Adrenaline helped – because once you stop and really look down, the danger becomes very real.

Once I’d clambered down the sheer drop, I got my first proper look him – a small but stocky white-and-black dog, perched precariously on a slippery and unstable rock. When I tried to put a leash on him, he moved closer to the edge and my heart stopped. The dog and I were dangerously high up with nothing but bush and rocks below us.

The little dog was terrified, stressed, and trying desperately to protect himself. As darkness set in and lights began to blink on in the houses below, I knew I couldn’t do this alone and immediately called for help.

Thank you to David, Louise, and Thomas, who arrived quickly with extra tools. When David Muller saw the drop and the ladder, his words were, “I’m scared of heights.”

And yet, without hesitation, he climbed over the wall and went down the nearly vertical ladder anyway – pure courage and adrenaline.

David managed to get onto the rock while the dog barked in fear. That’s when he realised the poor dog had wire wrapped tightly around his left back leg, which was caught in the wall – a snare.

We tried to cover him with a blanket, but the wind whipped it away and carried it down the hill – another heart-stopping moment. The first attempt to put the leash on him stalled as the terrified animal snapped and snarled. But the second attempt succeeded, and shortly after, the dog began to calm down. Panting heavily, he allowed David to touch him, finally realising he was safe.

David then climbed the ladder one-handed, carrying the dog. He may be small, but he’s heavy – and that climb was incredibly dangerous.

We rushed him straight to New South Veterinary Centre, where the vet examined him and gave him pain relief. Sadly, he wasn’t microchipped and his owners, to date, haven’t been found. But, other than being badly shaken, the little dog was safe and in good shape.

I’d like to sincerely thank:

• Daniel Santiago for alerting me

• The homeowners who allowed us access

• And David, Louise, and Thomas – without you, this rescue wouldn’t have been possible

Every bit of fear, risk, and adrenaline was worth it.

Written by David Muller

On the day of the Glenvista dog rescue, we stopped at the house where Adell had sent us the pin location. As we went into the back garden where a few people were standing, you could hear the dog barking – clearly stressed and terrified.

I peered over the wall. It was so high I couldn’t even see properly where the dog was. All I saw was this very long ladder standing straight up against the wall. The first words that came out of my mouth were, “I’m scared of heights.” Not really heights – but ladders in general. I tried to angle the ladder to make it safer, but someone said it was actually more secure standing straight like that. I said okay. At that stage, I honestly believe God took over.

I clambered onto the wall and made my way down onto a very small cement pillar next to the rock where the dog was standing and barking. I tried to get closer, but as I approached, the dog tried to move away. That’s when I realised his back leg was caught in a snare.

I went down onto one knee on that massive boulder – which had almost no space to move – trying to calm him down enough so I could help. He was absolutely terrified. I don’t even remember exactly what I was thinking in that moment.

As I got closer, he bit my hand. Somehow, I managed to hold his jaw with my thumb. That’s when I was finally able to touch him and stroke him, helping him settle.

I asked Thomas to get a blanket and pliers so we could cut the snare. I threw the blanket over him, but the wind caught it and it disappeared down the hill. Finally, I managed to get the leash around his neck.

By this stage, he was calmer – still scared, but calmer. I picked him up and held him in my arm. I spoke to him gently, which slowed down his breathing and mine!

Then I stood on that rock looking for another way out… because I really didn’t want to climb back up that ladder.

There wasn’t another way.

So I said to the dog, “We’re doing this. Hold on.”

One hand on the ladder. One arm holding the dog. I’m not sure who was holding on tighter – me or him – or who was more terrified.

By God’s grace, we made it to the top. I handed the dog over the wall to Adell, climbed over myself, and then took him back into my arms.

And in that moment, when the dog was back on solid ground, something changed in his eyes.

He knew he was safe.

He was rushed to New South Veterinary Centre and given pain relief. He was shaken and sore after his ideal... but he was alive. Sadly, he wasn’t microchipped and no one had been looking for him. But that night he wasn’t alone any longer!

This rescue wasn’t bravery without fear – it was bravery in spite of it.

It was adrenaline. Faith. Community. And a refusal to walk away.

Thank you to Daniel for raising the alarm.

Thank you to the homeowners who opened their property.

Thank you to Louise and Thomas for running towards the danger.

And David – who climbed down even while saying he was scared.

One small dog is alive because a few people chose not to look away. And that’s what rescue really is!

Max’s New Beginning

Shared by Shirley de Klerk, Max’s new owner...

I saw the video of this incredibly brave rescue and my heart just broke.

So, on Monday morning, I contacted LCARA to find out where he was, only to learn he’d already been taken to AACL [the organisation doesn’t have its own shelter]. I went through immediately.

There he was – this terrified little soul sitting in a cage. Completely distraught, shivering and growling, so scared of the world around him.

It broke me.

I filled in the paperwork straight away to begin the adoption process. I simply couldn’t walk away from him.

A few days later, I went back and sat with him for about 20 minutes. He was still very scared and not responsive to much at all. But I could see it in his eyes – he just needed safety, time, and love.

Gavin, one of the inspectors, came to do a home check a few days later and my home was approved. Gavin then asked if I would consider adopting him as well. That felt like confirmation that this little boy was meant to come home with me.

I then took my two hooligans, Monsta and Mystro, for a meet-and-greet at AACL. We met with the Chief Inspector and took all three into an open run. There was plenty of running around, sniffing and marking of territory – as boys do.

Max – because that’s his new name – started bouncing around, and my two had no aggression towards him. He even lay down for rubs and kisses. Seeing that change in him already was incredible.

He was neutered and then he was ready to go.

I collected him on Thursday. When I arrived to take him home, he was so excited he actually peed all over the floor. We went straight to Angie at Just Dogs grooming parlour in Glenanda, Johannesburg, to get him a collar. He still has his AACL tag, but I’ve also ordered him a special one from Angie.

Since coming home, Max has become very attached to me. He’s obviously still nervous but also very excited about his new life. He’s adapted very well – he eats well and follows me everywhere like my little shadow. He absolutely loves his dog biscuits and is always first in line to receive one.

We’re currently working on teaching him to sit, because he gets so excited that he jumps up all the time.

Max has already started gaining confidence and now goes outside by himself. He’s explored the whole house and has made himself very comfortable – especially on the bed and the couch.

He’s still a little nervous around men, but slowly he’s getting there. He gets along very well with Monsta, and although he’s a bit skittish around Mystro, today they had a little play together, which was wonderful to see.

Max is such a loving, giving dog – full of cuddles and kisses. And today was the first time I heard him bark.

I know he’s going to keep growing in confidence as the weeks go by.

And I can’t wait to watch him become the happy, safe dog he was always meant to be.