The dog days of summer didn’t stop a heroic pooch in Pennsylvania who is being credited with saving his human last week.
The quick-thinking Golden Retriever raced to get help when his owner tumbled 20 feet down a Pittsburgh-area hillside and couldn’t get back up after suffering a severe hip injury, officials said.
The heroic pup sprang into action Thursday afternoon after he witnessed his owner fall down the hill into a wooded area. He ran over to neighbors and “altered them that help was needed,” emergency responders said.
The neighbors then called for help — leading to a strenuous rescue by first responders with the Ross/West View EMSA.
When EMS workers reached the scene, the injured dog dad was stabilized and treated for pain while still at the bottom of the hill, the emergency rescue agency said in an online post.
A rope system was then set up to safely extricate the man and bring him to a local trauma center where he was treated for a “significant” hip injury.
Photos taken at the scene show the rope used in the rescue tied to a Ross/West View trailer and the injured man on a stretcher as he was tended to by several first responders and medics.
The hero dog is also seen waiting for his owner to be brought back to safety.
“A special thank you to this patient’s dog who alerted neighbors that help was needed,” Ross/West View EMSA wrote. “The pup refused to leave the scene until the patient was safely topside and transported.
“He was rewarded with some treats and big bowl of water on this hot day!”
Ross/West View EMSA covers the greater Pittsburgh area, providing medical and rescue services to more than 54,000 people across 25 square miles.