It was an unusual call for first responders in Lackawanna County, as they had to rescue a baby fawn stuck for days under a rock.

DICKSON CITY, Pa. — “It’s not a call we get every day, as we say it’s never a dull day in Dickson,” said Chief William Bilinski, Dickson City Police Department.

An unusual call quickly became an all-hands-on-deck rescue mission in Dickson City on Thursday as a fawn became stuck in a groundhog hole.

“Like anything else, it’s a life, whether it’s a human or an animal. It’s a very young fawn that was in a predicament. These people had seen the mother for about a day and a half or two days, and they couldn’t figure out why, until they started hearing the cries from the fawn under the rock,” said Chief Bilinski.



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The baby deer was pinned under a large rock, one that was too big and too heavy to move.

Officials believe the fawn was without food or water for nearly two days.

“We don’t know how it got in there. We don’t know if the mom kind of shooed it under, because they tend to do that,” said Bilinski.

It took precision, patience, and even the jaws of life to help free the baby.

“We had a lot of young people who are on our crew. So it was a good experience for them, as far taking their time and figuring out how to do things. The old guy gives them a little bit of guidance and helping hands. There was a lot of work involved, and they did a really great job,” said Joe Chowanec, DPW foreman.

Officials say that while first responders are used to handling any emergency, calls like this don’t come every day. 

“This one’s a strange one. It’s not usually, maybe stuck in a fence or something like that. But very rare, maybe once every 10 years,” said Chowanec.

Officials say it also serves as a good reminder of when humans should and shouldn’t step in when it comes to wildlife and baby season.

“Don’t approach them, just let them be. It’s the best thing you can do is wherever they’re at, let them go. Sooner or later, mom will come back she doesn’t forget them,” said Chowanec.

The fawn is currently in the care of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.