LOS ANGELES (AFP) – A German shepherd called Dory that fell off a cliff on a United States (US) coastal hiking path was winched to safety by helicopter rescuers.
The unlucky dog tumbled 100 metres onto rocks in Oregon, and could not be reached from the shore.
So a coast guard rescuer rappelled from a chopper, plunged into rough waters and swam to reach the stranded animal.
Footage filmed by the helicopter crew shows Dory sitting forlornly on rocks in Ecola State Park, as waves crash onto the shore.
Viewers then see Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Clayton Maidow being lowered into the water and swimming to the rocks, where he determined the dog was injured but conscious.
The animal “was scared, cold but very friendly and very docile”, said pilot Jake Mullins, according to news website Oregon Live.
Dory was reunited with her grateful owner at a nearby parking lot.
Vets determined she had suffered no broken bones and would make a full recovery.
“She’s a strong girl!” US Coast Guard Pacific Northwest said on its Twitter feed.
