Heartwarming Moment Golden Retriever Named Leo Is Rescued By HELICOPTER After Plunging 300 Feet Off A Cliff In Oregon State Park
- Leo, the three-year-old Golden Retriever, miraculously survived a New Year's Day fall from a 300-foot cliff
- A Coast Guard officer descended from a helicopter into the water surrounding a rocky shore before swimming to land and rescuing the family puppy
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U.S. Coast Guard officers in Oregon performed the daring rescue of a sweet Golden Retriever who plunged more than 300 feet over a sharp cliff and miraculously survived.
Leo, the three-year-old pup, had been out with his owners on New Year's Day when he made a bad move that caused him to fall over the edge of the cliff at Ecola State Park and onto the rocky shores of Cannon Beach.
By the time the Coast Guard helicopter arrived, the local fire department had already set up a pulley system, which would be used to bring Leo back up the cliff.
The shoreline where the injured dog became stranded is only accessible by pushing off the side of the cliff.
Leo, the three-year-old Golden Retriever, miraculously survived a New Year's Day fall from a 300-foot cliff
High-tech footage of the rescue effort shows Leo curled up against the shore, his damaged body pressed against the rocks.
His rescuer, a coast guard officer who was lowered into the water from the helicopter and then swam to shore, calmly approached the dog, who allowed him to pick him up and tie him up in a basket.
Leo and the officer arrive back at the helicopter, where the pilot can be heard asking the officer, “Is this your first dog rescue, Jason?”
“First dog rescue,” he replied.
Leo was then returned to his owners, who had a blanket to wrap him in and a lot of gratitude for his rescuer.
“Ah, hugs all around,” a team member can be heard saying on video.
The owners then quickly rushed to the emergency vet, where Leo was diagnosed with a collapsed lung, lung contusions, several deep cuts and bruises, and a broken tooth and jaw.
The family dog underwent surgery and will have to have a new one involving a wire inserted into his jaw, but only spent one night in hospital.
All else being equal, the owners say Leo is in good condition and is now relaxing at home with his family, including a young pup named Remy.
The poor pup was carried back to his owners by his rescuer after flying back up the cliff
The three-year-old dog underwent surgery, but only had to stay in the hospital for one night
Fending off is the only way to access the rocky coast where Leo was stranded – the coastguard officer descended into the water before swimming to shore
The Coast Guard officer is seen handing the injured dog to its concerned owners
The smiley puppy is said to be extremely good-natured and is now relaxing at home with his family
Leo's lucky fall is the second incident in which a dog survived a 300-foot fall.
In June, a German shepherd was also rescued after going over the cliff.
Dogs are supposed to be on a leash at all times in Ecola State Park, about 80 miles outside of Portland.
Cannon Beach Fire Rescue, one of four teams that responded to Leo's case, warns: 'Although the coast is beautiful, it is not completely safe. We would like to remind everyone to keep dogs on a leash when hiking unless otherwise stated 'Dogs Allowed Off-Leash' on the state park website.”