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April 15, 2009 ---
El
Dorado County Animal Services recently helped a dog
who had been stranded for fours days on a
treacherous stretch of the American River. The dog,
a white German Shepherd, may have either swam over
or fallen down the Ruckachucky Falls, located on the
edge of El Dorado County, that led him to his
isolated spot 30 feet below where he was surrounded
by nothing but a high rocky cliff and raging water.
Someone spotted the dog and reported it to Animal
Services. Rescue efforts began in earnest, and
because of the rough terrain and bad weather,
officers worked collaboratively with the State Parks
Department and California Highway Patrol.
The
CHP provided a helicopter to drop Animal Services
Officer, Lt. Warren Candler, near the area. “I
climbed down and over the rocks, and had to do a bit
of swimming,” said Candler. “I got to the dog and
he came running toward me. He was excited and
barking. When he reached me, he licked my face.
I put the leash on him and then we trekked back to
where the helicopter could come back and pick us
up.”
The dog was taken to the El Dorado County animal shelter in Placerville, where he was evaluated by a
veterinarian. Other than a few bruises and lack of food, the dog appeared to be in good shape. The dog was
friendly and happy to get some food. He was housed at the shelter until his owner was found.
Because the dog was
wearing a collar and rabies tag, his owner was found fairly quickly by Animal Services officers.
The dog, whose name is “Dog,” was reunited with his owner on April 12, 2009.
“We’re happy we could help the dog,” said Candler. “All of us at Animal Services are grateful for the
collaboration we received from the CHP and California State Parks.”
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