Coast Guard Saves Golden Retriever After Dog Falls from Oregon Cliff: Watch the Family Reunion
"We are so thankful Leo is alive and home recovering," the dog's owners wrote in a statement to PEOPLE
USCG Pacific Northwest
The Coast Guard rescued a dog that fell off an Oregon cliff on Jan. 1, 2024A golden retriever named Leo that fell off a cliff in Oregon on New Year’s Day is lucky to be alive thanks to the U.S. Coast Guard.
In a series of posts on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, the Coast Guard said that its aircrew performed a rescue operation on Monday for a pet stranded in Ecola State Park.
"The rescue swimmer was deployed and moved the dog into the hoisting basket. The helicopter landed in a parking lot at 4:15 pm to reunite the dog with its owners," said the agency, which also shared footage of the operation.
#Breaking (1/2) A #USCG aircrew from Astoria rescued a dog that had fallen off a cliff in Ecola State Park in #Oregon. The rescue swimmer was deployed and moved the dog into the hoisting basket. The helicopter landed in a parking lot at 4:15 pm to reunite the dog with its owners. pic.twitter.com/HaVVF7uR3y
— USCGPacificNorthwest (@USCGPacificNW) January 2, 2024
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The Coast Guard said at the time of the rescue that the dog’s "current condition" was unknown.
“First responders were setting up to rappel down the cliffside when the #USCG crew arrived,” the Coast Guard said, adding that it worked with other fire departments from Cannon Beach, Nehalem Bay, and Seaside "to ensure a safe rescue."
USCG Pacific Northwest
The following day, the Coast Guard shared hoist cam footage of Leo's rescue on X. Additional video captured the rescuer returning Leo to his owners. All three shared a moving hug before parting.
#UPDATE #BreakingNews Hoist cam footage of the dog rescue yesterday from Ecola State Park. From the owner: "Leo stayed overnight at an emergency vet. He has a few cuts and bruises. All things considered, he is doing good. We are so thankful he is alive and expected to recover." pic.twitter.com/mnxTBQreUr
— USCGPacificNorthwest (@USCGPacificNW) January 2, 2024
"Leo stayed overnight at an emergency vet,” Leo’s owner said in a statement shared by the Coast Guard. “He has a few cuts and bruises. All things considered, he is doing good. We are so thankful he is alive and expected to recover."
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Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District posted about the incident on Facebook, writing: “Cannon Beach personnel were ready to rappel down the cliff side when Coast Guard arrived and was able to retrieve the dog and was reunited with the owner.”
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The department also offered a warning to dog owners who visit the coast: “Although the coast is beautiful, it is not perfectly safe. We'd like to remind everyone to keep dogs on leash when hiking unless other wise stated 'Dogs Allowed Off Leash' on the state park website.”
According to a GoFundMe established to pay for veterinary expenses, the dog owners, identified as Alexa Fery and Cody Chimienti, were walking Leo and another dog, Remy, when the former ran ahead of them and fell 300 feet below the cliff.
Alexa Fery
Leo the golden retriever dog was rescued after falling from a cliff in Oregon“The Coast Guard from Astoria responded and their expert rescue swimmer descended to the water where Leo lay injured. The swimmer was able to pick Leo up, placed him in the basket, and airlifted him from the beach,” according to the GoFundMe. It added that Leo suffered several injuries including some lacerations, a broken tooth and a broken jaw.
Related: Dog Missing for 2 Months Rescued from Colo. Mountain in 'Act of Kindness' Ahead of Thanksgiving
“Leo is the sweetest three-year-old Golden Retriever. He loves to play Chuck-it, go to the dog park, and play fetch. His party trick is to wait patiently with a ball on his nose until Mom or Dad says “okay!” He’s got the best disposition of any dog we’ve known,” according to the fundraiser, which later added: “Please keep Leo in your thoughts as he recovers.”
In another update, the GoFundMe said that Leo was discharged from the animal hospital on Wednesday. "He was very happy to see his Mom and Dad, jumped up to greet them, and of course, gave them doggie kisses," per the update. The GoFundMe has raised over $24,000.
Alexa Fery
Leo the dog, who fell from an Oregon cliff and was later rescued by the Coast GuardIn a statement shared with PEOPLE late Thursday, Fery and Chimienti wrote: "We are so thankful Leo is alive and home recovering. According to the vets he has visited, he is expected to make a full recovery. We have so much appreciation for the first responders and coast guard who rescued Leo. Without them, he would not be here with us. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has shared, donated, and supported us and Leo. A good reminder to love on your pup a little extra today"
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