PATTERSON – Next time a family goes hiking in the woods in Patterson they will be more careful to pay attention to their four-legged child, ‘Rudy.’
While enjoying a later winter’s morning out of doors Sunday inside the Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area off Haviland Hollow Road the mixed breed pooch fell down a waterfall and became trapped on a tiny outcropping.
The family called 911 for assistance and members of the Patterson Fire Department responded.
Realizing the park access would be difficult, rescue apparatus responded and when firefighters were greeted with a considerable layer of snow and ice on the mile long stretch of wooded trails through the forest, additional resources were requested from the Putnam County Technical Rescue Team for its’ specialized rope rescue equipment. Further manpower and equipment were also summoned from the Putnam Lake and Brewster Fire Departments.
Technical Rescue Commander Joey Nickisher said the 14 month old pup had
fallen 15 feet down a cliff alongside Quaker Brook waterfall. “It was a miracle he was uninjured and didn’t land in the water as the flow is currently at its annual high mark and loudly roaring down the hillside,” said Nickisher.
Once personnel were in place and safety precautions accounted for, including sending several firefighters downstream in case the dog had fallen into the water, a Patterson Fire Department captain who is also a member of Technical Rescue Team was lowered down the cliff on a rope: “After being stuck on the cold and wet ledge for over two hours, Rudy signaled he was ready to go home by practically jumping into Captain Greco’s lap,” said Nickisher.
Both rescuer and ‘rescuee’ were hauled back up the cliff to safety, none the worse for the ordeal.
Members of the Carmel Fire Department also assisted covering the areas serviced by the three departments during the rescue operation.
No injuries were reported.
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