North Little Rock Fire Department saves dog that had fallen down cliffside
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A dog that had gotten trapped after falling down a cliffside in Emerald Park was saved thanks to the North Little Rock Fire Department and a hiker's call for help.
A hiker in Emerald Park had heard the dog's whine for help, eventually finding it trapped on a ledge along a cliffside. The hiker then called the North Little Rock Fire Department.
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The fire department grabbed their ropes and harnesses and climbed down the side to try and find the dog.
"We started repelling down, after going down maybe 10-15 feet, it had popped its head out," Lt. Doug Welter with NLRFD said.
After identifying the exact ledge the dog was on, they continued down the cliffside about 40 feet before being met by the nervous and malnourished, but uninjured pup.
According to the fire department, the dog had fallen from the top of the cliff and had no way of getting up or down from the ledge.
"We sat there for well over an hour just holding water out, but we just kept inching little bit by little bit," Welter said.
"It took some convincing, but it finally warmed up to us, and we were able to get what we needed to be done," NLRFD Captain Charles Hobson said.
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Hobson and Welter tried food and water, slowly moving closer and closer to ensure that it didn't run in the opposite direction or get itself hurt.
Finally, the dog was in their arms and the special operations team made a makeshift harness for it and lifted it to safety.
"I think he was more relieved to get off the cliff and get some water and get a ride back to the shelter," Hobson said.
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According to the NLRFD officials, North Little Rock Animal Control then stepped in with specialty equipment to perform a wellness check on the dog.
Before the pup's ride to the animal shelter, the team decided to name the dog Cliff.
Cliff has been able to visit his friends at the North Little Rock Fire Department frequently, creating a full circle moment for those who rescued him.
"He's in pretty good spirits, pretty good energy now; I mean, a little food and water goes a long way, but we get to hang out with him for just a little bit though, so it was nice just to see a good ending to it," Welter said.
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According to the North Little Rock Animal Shelter, Cliff is believed to be 3 to 4 years old and is already neutered.
No one has come to claim Cliff at the shelter; therefore, he will be placed up for adoption on Monday, Oct. 21.
The North Little Rock Fire Department hopes that Cliff is able to find his "fur-ever home with the best humans possible."
Cliff is a pit bull, so to adopt him, you will need to show your address to verify that your town does not have any breed-specific legislation that prevents the ownership of a pit bull.
