SILVERTON, Ore. — An animal rescue team has retrieved an 80-pound dog that fell more than 200 feet down a cliff in Oregon’s Santiam State Forest.
The Oregon Humane Society’s David Lytle said his group’s technical rescue team responded Wednesday to help the Great Dane-mastiff mix named Ranger. Lytle said the dog suffered a broken front leg as well as cuts and bruises. Still, rescuers reported he was alert and friendly.
The dog disappeared Tuesday night while hiking with his owner on a trail. The owner returned to the trail Wednesday and spotted Ranger at the bottom of a rocky outcropping.
Rescuers could reach the dog by a trail, but it was too steep to bring him out on a rescue litter. So a rescue team member rappelled by rope about 230 feet down the cliff. After Ranger was secured in a rescue basket, Lytle said dog and rescuer were hoisted to the top of the cliff.
