Injured Dog Rescued from Steep Oregon Embankment by Search and Rescue Team
BAKER COUNTY, Ore. — On Saturday, June 21, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an injured dog stranded in the remote Marble Creek area of eastern Oregon.
The dog, a 70-pound pup named Auggie, had been hiking with his owner, Gennie Dethloff, when he fell down a steep embankment and was injured. With limited cell service in the area, Dethloff was able to contact a friend, who then alerted law enforcement.
The Baker County Search and Rescue (SAR) Ropes Team was quickly deployed to the scene. Dethloff informed rescuers that she had managed to climb down to reach Auggie but was unable to carry him back up due to his size and injuries.
Search crews carefully navigated the difficult terrain, hiking nearly 800 feet down the steep embankment to reach the injured dog. Auggie was found cold, wet, and unable to use his hind legs properly.
The SAR team set up a rope rigging system to safely lift him out. Auggie was wrapped in a sleeping bag, secured to a stretcher (litter), and slowly hoisted up the embankment to where his owner was waiting.
He was then taken to the Animal Clinic in Baker City for treatment.
In a statement, the sheriff’s office thanked the Search and Rescue members for their fast and professional response, and also expressed gratitude to Dr. Matt Kerns for providing veterinary care.
“We wish Auggie a speedy and full recovery,” the sheriff’s office said.