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Rescuers try to save dog who fell down cliff at Angels Rest

Posted: July 29th, 2008, 11:35 pm
by meana39
I thought of all of us who hike with our dogs....I hope this one will be okay!


http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/k ... 2.html?npc

Re: Rescuers save dog that fell down cliff at Angels Rest Trail

Posted: July 30th, 2008, 6:34 am
by Waffle Stomper
Sadly his injuries were too severe.

Re: Rescuers save dog that fell down cliff at Angels Rest Trail

Posted: July 30th, 2008, 9:59 am
by rcPDX
I'm a member of the team that performed the rescue last night/this morning. We're all volunteers with the Oregon Humane Society. Just want to say PLEASE leash your dog on this treacherous little viewpoint. (as well as elsewhere, of course)

The dog was off leash and fell off the cliff.

I'm an avid hiker as well as a member of PortlandHikers.org, and I've hiked to Angel's Rest many times. (never out at 1am however, never in with so much rescue gear). I know that Angels Rest can be so windy that it feels like you'll be blown off your feet. Dogs of course are lower and usually more sure-footed, but you never know what can happen. Last night we had just blowing fog/mist to contend with, not the hard wind that I've felt other times there.

I'd also just like to spread the word about OHSTAR (Oregon Humane Society Technical Animal Rescue). So many people have never heard of us, and we're here as a service to the community. We're all volunteers trained in rescues like this one that require specialized training such as high angle rope work (like dogs off a cliff) or tree climbing (cats stuck in trees), and many others. For more information, please see: http://www.oregonhumane.org/OHSTechnica ... Rescue.htm

And of course we can greatly use donations to support our continued training and equipment needs.

Roberta

Re: Rescuers save dog that fell down cliff at Angels Rest Trail

Posted: July 30th, 2008, 10:22 am
by OneSpeed
I had the chance to meet these rescuers last night (and their horse) and I am among the folks who've never heard of you. But we sure do appreciate what you did last night. I saw the gear you were hauling up that trail, and I'm gonna go make a contribution to your team right now.

Sorry to hear about Casey. I'm sure her owner feels terrible.

Re: Rescuers save dog that fell down cliff at Angels Rest Trail

Posted: July 30th, 2008, 10:55 am
by Waffle Stomper
Thank you Roberta and all the good people at OHS.

Re: Rescuers save dog that fell down cliff at Angels Rest Trail

Posted: July 30th, 2008, 11:30 am
by ElphabaNorthWest
rcPDX wrote:I'm a member of the team that performed the rescue last night/this morning. We're all volunteers with the Oregon Humane Society. Just want to say PLEASE leash your dog on this treacherous little viewpoint. (as well as elsewhere, of course)

The dog was off leash and fell off the cliff.

I'm not arguing against leashes. I think that dogs should be kept on leashes where required, especially if there is a possibility of getting hurt, but would a leash really help rescue a dog from a fall? I don't know if my grip (especially if I was not expecting the fall) would be strong enough to haul my dog back up. I also think that she might end up pulling me over the cliff if she were tied to me. Maybe it's better just to avoid cliff trails with dogs?

Re: Rescuers save dog that fell down cliff at Angels Rest Trail

Posted: July 30th, 2008, 11:50 am
by meana39
rcPDX wrote:
I'd also just like to spread the word about OHSTAR (Oregon Humane Society Technical Animal Rescue). So many people have never heard of us, and we're here as a service to the community. We're all volunteers trained in rescues like this one that require specialized training such as high angle rope work (like dogs off a cliff) or tree climbing (cats stuck in trees), and many others. For more information, please see: http://www.oregonhumane.org/OHSTechnica ... Rescue.htm

And of course we can greatly use donations to support our continued training and equipment needs.

Roberta
I was so sad to hear about the tragic outcome of all this, I often hike with my dog, and this struck home to me. I also had never heard of your organization, so at least some good perhaps can come from the sadness. Keep up the great work!
Lori

Re: Rescuers save dog that fell down cliff at Angels Rest Trail

Posted: July 30th, 2008, 11:55 am
by Waffle Stomper
I agree that it is best to keep dogs off narrow dangerous trails and I don't think if my dog went off of the trail a collar and a leash would be enough and could put me in harms way as well.

But, what a leash accomplishes is that it keeps dog away from cliffs and other sharp drop offs. Part of what dogs enjoy is sniffing and exploring and can easily venture too close to the edge. Even the best trained dog can have a puppy moment and forget where he/she is and makes an unwise decision especially if they see a ground squirrel or other distraction. It takes only a split second.

A leash is preventative and not a rescue device.

Re: Rescuers try to save dog who fell down cliff at Angels Rest

Posted: July 30th, 2008, 5:35 pm
by rcPDX
Waffle Stomper is exactly right - the leash is useful to keep the dogs from getting near the edge. In this case, the dog just wandered too far.

Thanks for the donation and all the kind words!

I and one other team member who wasn't there yesterday went and retrieved the remaining gear we left at 1am this morning. Many people on the trail and almost all had heard about the incident (maybe the media attention made them decide to hike this trail). Most dogs were on leash. It was easy to figure out who we were since we were hauling down the ropes and gear in a wheeled litter basket. Certainly not your usual backpacking gear.

Roberta