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.
My neighbors allow their dogs to roam free, off leash, all the time. They poop wherever on everyone else's property. I WISH these dogs would fall of a cliff! Maybe then, the owners would learn a lesson!! If the dog in the article was off leash, as it would appear, I HOPE the owners learned THEIR lesson!. Kudos to the brave rescuers who cared enough to help!!
Happy story and the guy's face says it all ....Todd your tough comment about rescuing suicides - I cannot agree as many of these people are mentally ill and can get better.
Both our volunteer and paid firefighters do a stupendous job in saving people and animals and property. They are all compassionate, caring, and give their time and energies in helping others. THIS is what our country should be about and should be utmost in everyone's minds -- helping each other. Appears to me that many people have lost track of their blessings. Firefighters are blessings, (most) people are blessings, dogs are blessings, cats are blessings, water is a blessing, having a roof over your head is a blessing, etc. I give a heartfelt THANK YOU to the Nyack Fire Department's High Angle Rescue Team, and a big hug to Zoe.