- A father in Shandong Province, China lowered his young daughter into a narrow gap between two homes using a DIY rope harness on August 26, after the family heard a puppy whining from deep inside the space and realised they could not reach the animal themselves.
- Nan Nan reportedly volunteered to help, telling her family she wanted to save the puppy ‘like a firefighter’.
- Her grandfather secured a professional safety harness and tied a safety knot before the father lowered her into the crevice.
- Footage of the rescue shows the father slowly lowering Nan Nan into the gap before she reaches the bottom and scoops the puppy into her arms.
- The puppy, which reportedly suffered only minor injuries, was later adopted by Nan Nan’s family.
- The video was first posted to Weibo on August 26 and had circulated widely across social platforms by September 2, 2026.
- A three-year-old girl was lowered into a narrow crevice in Shandong Province, China, to rescue a puppy trapped roughly four to five metres below ground.
- Many viewers praised the toddler’s composure, with some commenters calling her a ‘little heroine’ for staying calm throughout the ordeal.
- Other commenters raised concerns about the safety risks of lowering a toddler into a dark, narrow space, questioning why professionals were not called in instead.
A father in Shandong Province, China, took extraordinary measures on August 26 to rescue a trapped puppy, lowering his three-year-old daughter, Nan Nan, into a narrow 30 cm gap.12
The family heard the puppy whining from deep within the crevice, realizing they could not reach it themselves.5
Nan Nan's mother, Ma, initially suggested her husband attempt the rescue, but the gap was too small for an adult.
In a remarkable display of bravery, Nan Nan volunteered, stating she wanted to save the puppy 'like a firefighter.'
Her grandfather secured a professional safety harness and tied a safety knot before the father lowered her into the crevice.3
Footage shows the father slowly lowering Nan Nan, who successfully scooped the puppy into her arms.
After the rescue, her father hoisted her back to safety, and the puppy, which suffered only minor injuries, was later adopted by the family.
The incident garnered attention online, with many praising Nan Nan's composure, dubbing her a 'little heroine.'
However, some commenters expressed concerns about the safety risks involved in lowering a toddler into a dark, narrow space, questioning why professionals were not called in.
The video was first posted to Weibo on August 26 and circulated widely across social platforms by September 2, 2026.6
“The rescue took place on August 26 after the mother found the opening too narrow for an adult, and the grandfather secured a professional safety harness. The puppy, which suffered only minor injuries, was adopted by the family, and the video spread widely by September 2.”
