Hero Dog Credited For Saving Owner's Life After A 70-Foot Fall Broke Multiple Bones

Mason Joseph Zimmer
Search and Rescue worker pointing at California forest while consulting phone next to colleague
Facebook | Nevada County Sheriff's Search & Rescue

One border collie has joined the ranks of hero dogs for helping his owner, who called for search and rescue after falling 70 feet from a California ridge.

It seems that with each passing week, there's a new dog reminding us that they're not only lovable, but lifesaving in ways that would make even Lassie seem lethargic.

Not only have they proved astute in alerting others of danger and not only will some risk their own lives when their loved ones are in trouble, but even a dog's more adorable aspects can save lives in the right situations.

But today, we're celebrating the cunning and dedication that one dog showed after a sudden and harrowing mishap.

On July 13, an unidentified 53-year-old man took his border collie named Saul on a camping trip to the Tahoe National Forest in Nevada County, California.

Search and Rescue workers walking through California forest
Facebook | Nevada County Sheriff's Search & Rescue

According to People, the man suddenly fell from a ridge and was subject to a 70-foot drop.

Although he was able to make the call to request a search and rescue team, he was otherwise immobile as the fall had broken one of his hips and multiple ribs.

Although CalFire initially took the call, they reached out to the Nevada County Sheriff's Search & Rescue service for support.

Search and Rescue worker pointing at California forest while consulting phone next to colleague
Facebook | Nevada County Sheriff's Search & Rescue

And as a representative from this second organization wrote on Facebook, they sent 25 members of their team to locate the man.

But while they reported that they were successful, they also credited the man's rescue to Saul, who they identified as a dog with K9 training.

According to the Search and Rescue team, the chances of finding the man without Saul's help would have been slim because his campsite was covered in camouflage tarp.

black border collie named Saul after rescuing master
Facebook | Nevada County Sheriff's Search & Rescue

But it turns out that neither the injured man nor the rescue workers needed to worry, as Saul was able to find the team after travelling 200 yards and flagging them down.

He then led them directly to the man, at which point rescuers prepared him for transport and moved him half a mile to a landing zone.

There, the California Highway Patrol were able to start their own procedures to airlift the man to the hospital.

Search and Rescue workers standing around helicopter as they tend to injured man
Facebook | Nevada County Sheriff's Search & Rescue

According to People, Saul spent the night in an animal shelter while the man was being treated and they were able to reunite the next day.

In the words of the Search and Rescue representative, "Great work and skill by all involved today and for the Border Collie he was transported back to Grass Valley and given a well deserved dinner."

h/t: People, Facebook | Nevada County Sheriff's Search & Rescue