Dog survives plunge off 90-foot embankment

Published: Monday, Dec. 1, 2008 12:08 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
KUNA, Idaho (AP) — A dog that leaped from a 90-foot precipice along southwestern Idaho's Snake River Canyon was saved by firefighters, surviving the plunge with a broken hind leg and scrapes.

Bill Rice, the owner of the 2-year-old female border collie named Shelby, told firefighters that he'd turned to look at his grandkids while at Dedication Point, a popular raptor viewing area in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. Seconds later, Shelby was leaping over a low wall and into the chasm, he told them.

"We thought the dog's back was broken," Dee Dee Bowring, a kennel supervisor at the Idaho Humane Society who helped with the rescue, told the Idaho Statesman Friday. "This dog is very lucky to escape with one broken bone. It's a happy ending, which is what we like."

Rice clambered down the steep and rocky wall above the Snake River to the dog. Bowring and Animal Control Supervisor Morris McCall opted to call in firefighters from Kuna to help rescue the dog.

"I don't know if it was trying to find out what was on the other side, or what," McCall said, on why Shelby jumped. "It jumped over, and there was nothing but air."

Kuna Fire Capt. Doug Newcomb said firefighters from his agency helped in a similar dog rescue at nearly the same spot four years ago. In that case, the dog survived without injury.

Story continues below
Shelby wasn't so lucky and must undergo surgery for her broken leg early next week.

Veterinarian Jeff Rosenthal, the Humane Society's executive director, will perform the surgery free of charge.

Witnesses said the 42-pound dog remained calm as a firefighter and Rice secured the animal to a backboard with duct tape before two people at the top of the canyon pulled her up.

"She was licking the fireman's face when they were down there," Bowring said. "She was in pain, but I think she knew they were there to help her."

Recent comments

Amazing creatures, dogs! Surviving a 90-foot drop with only a broken...

Dan | Dec. 1, 2008 at 10:48 a.m.

Wow - wish it was my dog and that I was the lucky owner getting free...

Free surgery | Dec. 1, 2008 at 6:49 a.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

RSL's Rimando makes 3

So Great!!! So Proud - Love RSL - Bring Home The CUP!!!!!

mr cannon's bold assertation that the purpose of the first ammendemnt as...

RSL heads to MLS title game

Great great great game!!!! Nicky Rimando is a god! We're the most complete...

I had the game on DVR and just watched it. That was the most exciting game...

RSL heads to MLS title game

financially cannot this year, but I will watch loyally, how great to hear...

This is hardly surprising. Bennett has a remarkable arrogance which is also...

RSL heads to MLS title game

I guess that is why "they play the game" as Herman Edwards would say.. ...

BYU happy to escape with victory

What was the score of the LSU vs LA tech game? Alot closer than you'd like to...

Has Fedor not said that THIS IS OUR YEAR all year long? Go back and...

This is just a small glimpse of the future with Obamacare: corruption, waste...

Advertisements
Advertisement