October 17-18, 2020 Op 20-491 #18

On Saturday, October 17, and 3:14 pm, the Team was called to assist Mono County Animal Control and a pet owner to retrieve an injured dog in the bottom of the Upper Owens River Gorge, a short distance below the Crowley Dam. The Team staged on the rim of the gorge, and a field team descended 800’ of loose scree to the bottom to attempt to locate the injured animal.

Bottom gorge.jpg

The dog, a large (80 lbs!) Husky/Shepherd mix, was located, assessed, and found to be unable to walk. The dog was packaged in a full-body vacuum splint, and the field team began the long climb back to the rim. Another call was put out to the Team for assistance, and more team members joined the field team to help with the carryout.

Preparing for the carry out…

Preparing for the carry out…

The new field team members brought a titanium litter with an all-terrain wheel, and the dog was re-packaged in this litter. The reinforced field team eventually reached the rim, and returned the animal to its owner. Animal Control later stated that the dog had a sprained leg, bruises, and internal bleeding, but was expected to make a complete recovery.

An upgrade to the titanium litter

An upgrade to the titanium litter

At the top…

At the top…

IC: Pelichowski Ops Leader: Bush Responders: Torrence, Buchanan, Case, Senior, Cucura, and Kallemeyn