A pet pooch was trapped in a cave for three days with a huge BEAR.
The dog – named Charlie – was reported trapped by his owner.
He was stuck 40ft down in a narrow cave shaft in the woods.
However, when firefighter Tori Downing went into the deep cave to rescue the pooch, she immediately encountered a sleeping bear about five feet away.
Charlie was trapped even further inside the cave system, apparently to keep a safe distance from his dangerous 200lb beast.
The fire crew then set up a camera at the cave in Waldens Creek, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, US.
Firefighters observed the bear leaving the cave the following day and resumed their rescue efforts.
Rescuers descended into the cave using a rope system and managed to locate Charlie.
The dog was strapped into a harness and lifted out of the cave.
Fire officials said the pooch was then “quickly reunited with his happy owner”.
Footage shows the moment Charlie is pulled out of the cave to applause and cheers of “good boy”.
Luckily, the dog was uninjured during his ordeal.
A Waldens Creek Volunteer Fire Department spokesperson said: “All told, Charlie was trapped in the cave for three days.
“For some of that time, he unwillingly shared it with an approximately two-year-old, 200lb bear.”
They added: “He was dehydrated and hungry, but in otherwise good condition.”
One local said: “Awesome job and so happy the bear did not injure the dog.”
Bobbie wrote: “Perfect ending. The bravery it took to continue. The rescue of this dog was above and beyond. Thanks to the firefighters who risk it all every day.”
Libby said: “Angels walk this earth and come in many forms. Bless these firefighters.”
Last year, the same rescue team rescued Charlie’s cousin named Storm after he fell into a deep cave on English Mountain in the same area.
