A National Park Service site says they found a three-year-old dog that tumbled down a cliff. According to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore officials in Michigan, a 3-year-old dog named Dancer got off-leash on Wednesday before falling off a 60-foot ledge.
Officials say it happened near an area called Miners Castle. They say the owners searched for hours without finding their pet. Eventually, it became dark, and they were convinced Dancer had not survived the fall.
Park Rangers say after they became aware of the lost dog, they contacted the Superior High Angle Rescue Professionals. The team specializes in high rope rescues along the shoreline of Lake Superior.
Fortunately, the team found the dog along a section of rocks above the lake. They say the dog was cold but still excited to see the rescuers. The official release says, “Dancer, who has been described as a ‘professional troublemaker,’ has been reunited with her Minnesota-based family and is recovering well.”
“With this year’s mild start to winter, many areas of Pictured Rocks are more accessible than they are most years,” Chief Ranger Joe Hughes said in the release. “It is still important to remember to be prepared for slippery, cold conditions that can change quickly.”
Pets at NPS Sites
While many parks don’t allow pets, some National Park Service sites do.
Officials ask visitors to remember these rules when bringing their pets to outdoor areas:
- Bag your pet’s poop (and discard in a garbage can).
- Always have your pet on a leash no longer than 6 feet (even on beaches and when swimming).
- Respect wildlife (keep a respectful distance from any animals you may encounter).
- Know where you can go (you are responsible to know where pets are and are not permitted)
- Pets should not be left unattended. Summer heat and sunshine pose a threat to pets in vehicles.
- Pet food is also bear food so store pet food as if it were human food – in a vehicle.
- Pets are not allowed in visitor centers.