Lost dog search leads to sinkhole rescue for pooch, owner

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A Portland fire official says a woman and her dog have been rescued unharmed after falling into a 20-foot-deep sinkhole that opened up in her backyard.

Portland Fire & Rescue Lt. Rich Chatman says the woman in her 30s was trying to find her small poodle mix Tuesday night in her dark Portland backyard when she fell into a sinkhole about 3.5 feet in diameter.

A neighbor called 911 around 7:25 p.m. after she walked by and heard the woman calling for help, CBS Portland affiliate KOIN-TV reports.

Fire crews used rope and ground ladders to rescue them. Chatman says fire officials at the scene were amazed that both escaped unhurt.

The spokesman says a neighbor who shares a property line said both homeowners had been required to do some recent work on their sewage system.

Crews were covering up the hole temporarily late Tuesday.