On New Year's Day, the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a daring rescue operation to airlift a golden retriever that fell more than 300 feet off a steep cliff. This is the second incident of its kind at an Oregon state park in just seven months.
Leo was jumping in front of his two owners and another pup at Ecola State Park around 2:45 p.m. when he fell over a ledge onto the rocky shores of Cannon Beach below.
This drop, the height of the Statue of Liberty, can only be reached by bouncing off a hiking trail.
The local fire department had just set up a pulley system when the Coast Guard helicopter arrived on the side of the steep cliff.
Dramatic footage of rescue It shows a 3-year-old puppy crouched on a narrow beach with his body pressed against a large rock on the shoreline.
After being lowered into the water by a USCG helicopter, the injured dog swam to shore and remained motionless as rescuers slowly approached.
Rescuers strapped Leo into a basket and hoisted him to the safety of a helicopter.
“Jason, is this your first time rescuing a dog?” the pilot is heard asking the rescuer after crawling back into the helicopter.
“This is my first time rescuing a dog,” the rescue swimmer replied.
Once back on solid ground, Leo was brought to his owner, who wrapped him in a warm blanket and hugged him in gratitude for the USCG hero.
“Oh! We're hugging you all the time,” one team member can be heard saying in the video.
“I love you!” another replies.
Leo was rushed to the vet with a collapsed lung, a contusion, several lacerations and bruises, a broken canine tooth and a fractured jaw, according to a fundraising group set up by his family.
The dog spent the night in hospital, where he underwent surgery that required wires to be inserted into his jaw to repair three fractures.
Other than that, the lucky pup is in good condition and happy to go home with his family.
“He has the best temperament of any dog we know. Leo is Remy's big brother and we can't wait for him to feel better so he can walk and play with Remy.” said the fundraiser.
This horrific accident is the second time a dog has faced death after falling 300 feet.
In June, a German shepherd jumped onto a rocky beach and was airlifted to safety.
The Oregon Parks Department could not immediately say whether the two pups were following a marked trail or had made their own path along the treacherous cliff.
Ecola State Park, located on the Oregon coast about 130 miles northwest of Portland, requires dogs to be leashed at most times.
“The coast is beautiful, but it's not completely safe. We encourage everyone to keep their dogs on a leash when hiking, unless the state park's website specifically states 'dogs allowed off-leash.' Please be careful. ” Cannon Beach Fire Rescue AlertOne of four agencies that responded to Leo's New Year's Day rescue.
