Loyal Golden Retriever Won’t Leave Owner Who Fell, Hurt Hip on Steep Hill—Alerts Locals, Rescuers

A golden retriever aided in the rescue of his owner who fell down a steep hill and dislocated his hip in Ross Township, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 1. Courtesy of Ross/West View EMS

The neighbors couldn’t ignore the lone golden retriever, leashed but with no owner, pacing back and forth, appearing frantic along a steep and forested roadside hill.

On Aug. 1, those good neighbors in Ross Township, Pennsylvania, came and held the dog’s leash and spotted his owner dozens of feet down the sharp slope of about 50 degrees. Dialing Allegheny County 911 just before noon, they reported the fallen man, who had sustained a serious injury, Ross/West View emergency services told The Epoch Times.

Ross Police arrived first, an ambulance following. Then more emergency teams and the fire and public works pulled up on the scene and commenced an operation to descend the hill, carefully place the man on a gurney, lift him back up the loosely soiled embankment, and see him to a trauma center. It was a highly technical rope rescue making use of special systems and skills.

A lone golden retriever was witnessed by neighbors, alerting them of an injured man who had fallen down a 30-foot hill in Ross Township on Aug. 1. Courtesy of Ross/West View EMS

“He sustained a hip injury, which eliminated his ability to move or self-rescue,” Ross/West View EMS director Greg Porter told the newspaper, adding that it was a left hip dislocation. “He had fallen over a hillside approximately 30 feet.”

All the while, as the men applied themselves, the golden retriever “refused to leave the scene,” Ross/West View EMS later stated in a post on Facebook.

Ross Township first responders commence a special rope rescue to retrieve the man who had fallen and dislocated his left hip. Courtesy of Ross/West View EMS

The rescue team helps the fallen man from the top of the hill. Courtesy of Ross/West View EMS

First responders are seen carefully placing the man on a gurney to be lifted up the steep hill. Courtesy of Ross/West View EMS

Rescuers employ ropes to raise the injured man up a 30-foot incline consisting of loose soil and trees. Courtesy of Ross/West View EMS

Mr. Porter says the dog deserves some credit for saving his injured owner, recalling how he alerted the neighbors.

“The dog remained at the top of the hill and was pacing back and forth drawing attention from neighbors in the area,” he said. “Neighbors went to the dog, heard the man calling for help, and called 911.”

The golden retriever was lauded by rescuers for alerting locals to his fallen owner's plight. Courtesy of Ross/West View EMS

First responders then found the neighbors holding the dog’s leash when they arrived, he said, while the golden retriever stayed close until the patient was rescued. As he was sent off for treatment, they gave assurances that the dog would be well cared for and safely kept by a neighbor. The man was discharged and sent home the next day to reunite with his loyal golden retriever, Mr. Porter said.

On Facebook, the rescuers made sure to give a special shout-out to the dutiful dog.

“[A] special thank you to this patient’s dog who alerted neighbors that help was needed,” the service captioned. “He was rewarded with some treats and big bowl of water on this hot day!”

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