Rescuers save 12-year-old dog trapped for 5 days at Minnewaska

by niki@hvny.info

If you’re heading out for a hike to take in these fall colors, remember to leash your dogs when visiting our state parks. This is for the safety of the animals and other visitors, according to the NYS Parks Department, who issued the reminder after a 12-year-old dog named Liza recently fell into a crevice at Minnewaska State Park in Ulster County, and was trapped there for five days.

The dog was hiking with its owner on October 7 when “it fell out of sight into the narrow crevice but could be heard barking.” Park staff attempted to access the crevice, but were unsuccessful. A specialized plumbing camera was then lowered into the crevice to check on the dog’s condition. The dog was observed moving in the small space, apparently unharmed, and was seen licking the damp walls of the crevice, likely providing the necessary fluids for it to survive the five-day ordeal.

Rescuers from the New Jersey Initial Response Team, a volunteer group specializing in cave rescues, then used an extended catch pole to lift the dog into a rescue pack. “Only Jessica Van Ord, our smallest team member, was able to squeeze and contort herself more than 40 feet from the surface to reach the dog,” said Mark Dickey, Chief of the New Jersey Initial Response Team.

Van Ord was able to shimmy along a narrow passage and then used a hot dog hanging from the end of the catch pole to lure the dog into putting its head into the loop, which allowed another rescuer nearby to close the loop so Van Ord could bring the dog to her.

"The rejoicing on the surface to that news was just incredible and renewed everyone's motivation to get this little dog to safety," Gina Carbonari, Executive Director of the Ulster County SPCA said. "Every person there played a role in making this happen – an amazing team effort by multiple agencies."

New York State Police, park forest rangers, Kerhonkson Accord First Aid Squad and Accord Fire Department also were on scene to assist. "This incident is a reminder that a single misstep, whether by animal, child, or even adult, near caves or cliffs can be deadly," Chief Dickey added.

Liza was evaluated by SPCA officials as being hungry and thirsty, but was in overall good health, and reunited with her owner.

As a reminder: Dogs must be kept on leashes of no more than six feet at all times at NYS Parks.

Photos: NYS Parks
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