A mixed breed puppy was pulled up from a narrow, 46 meter deep crevice/shaft near Mellieha today after a five hour operation which the rescuer described as 'miraculous'.

The whines of the six-week-old dog were heard at about noon by people walking in the area and volunteers from the Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary arrived on the scene at about 1 p.m.

"It was by far the most difficult operation I have ever seen" said Fabbio Ciappara, who has been involved in such activities for some 10 years.

The shaft, thought to have led to a very old dry well, was only some 13 cm wide at the top and there was no way anybody could go down for the dog.

The volunteers, assisted by personnel from the Animal Welfare Department, eventually bought a fish net, tied it to a long rope put food into it and lowered it down, hoping that the dog would entangle itself enough to be brought up.

Several frustrating failures followed before the dog finally got its legs entangled in the mesh in what was the last attempt. It was brought up to the surface at about 6 p.m. amid applause and cheers.

"It was incredible, miraculous, we almost gave up," Mr Ciappara said.

The dog was covered in mud, very hungry but, suprisingly it was not injured, Mr Ciappara said.

It is being taken care of by a volunteer who gave it a very good wash.