A pit bull mix was rescued from a 15-foot abandoned well in Kansas City, Kansas, after becoming trapped and exhausted amid Fourth of July fireworks. Firefighters responded Sunday morning after a nearby resident reported hearing the dog’s whimpering from the well.

Firefighter Towan Smith, who has served with the department for 20 years, descended into the well wearing a wetsuit to reach the frightened animal. At the bottom, Smith found the dog, later named Brisket, paddling in roughly four feet of water contaminated with sewage and oil. Smith secured a strap around the 66-pound dog’s chest and lifted him to safety.

The dog appeared exhausted and fearful but unharmed. After being brought to the surface, Brisket was given water to rinse away the grime, revealing a brindle and white coat. Rescue personnel fed the dog a piece of brisket, which inspired his name. City officials said Brisket had been roaming the neighborhood for about a year but was not wearing identification despite having a collar.

Brisket was taken to a local animal shelter, where he received a thorough bath and a rest on soft blankets. Volunteers from the Kansas City animal services division shared Brisket’s story on social media, quickly drawing thousands of supporters. Officials expect the dog to be put up for adoption in the coming weeks.

Nancy Chartrand, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City police and animal services, noted that the incident likely marked both Brisket’s unluckiest and luckiest day. “Had he not fallen in, he’d probably still be running around that neighborhood, scared half to death,” Chartrand said.

The exact timing of when Brisket fell into the well remains unknown. The well, located on private property, was not secured. After the rescue, firefighters covered the well’s entrance with an old wooden fence to prevent future accidents.

Smith described the rescue as a unique experience in his career, emphasizing the fulfillment of helping a living being in distress. “When I got down there to him, he just was like, ‘Man, just please get me out,’” Smith said. The coordinated effort concluded with a police officer placing a leash on Brisket and the nearby homeowner offering further comfort with food.