Firefighters Rescue Dog From Cliff Overlooking Hudson River

NYACK, NY -- A pet dog that fell off a cliff overlooking the Hudson River was rescued Sunday night by specially-trained Nyack, N.Y. volunteer firefighters who climbed down a mountainside to reach the pooch.

The dog, Zoe, became trapped when it slipped over the edge of a trail just north of Hook Mountain in Rockland Lake State Park. The dog's owners, a couple from Upper Nyack, were on a trail that goes from Rockland Lake to Haverstraw at around 6 p.m. when the dog went over the edge and fell about 20 feet.

The dog was not injured in the fall, but was trapped and barking.

The Nyack Fire Department's High Angle Rescue Team was called to the mountainside, where the volunteer firefighters train for rescues — although their efforts usually involve helping hikers who are caught on precarious ledges.

Firefighters said they decided to rescue the dog out of concern that the dog's owners might try to get at the dog themselves, potentially making the situation worse.

Nyack firefighter Jeff Scotto of Nyack was lowered over the edge, supported by a team of 10 other Nyack firefighters, and was able to safely reach the dog and bring it to safety.

The rescue operation was completed by about 7:30 p.m.