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West Vancouver emergency crews urge caution after dog rescued from steep cliff

Emergency crews are reminding dogwalkers to be cautious on trails during the upcoming wet and rainy months
West Vancouver emergency crews urge caution after dog rescued from steep cliff
A dog is rescued by West Vancouver emergency crews last week after getting stuck on a cliff in Cypress Falls Park. photo @WestVanPolice

Emergency crews are reminding dogwalkers to be cautious on local trails during the upcoming wet and rainy months after a pooch had to be rescued while being walked in West Vancouver recently.

West Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, as well as West Van police and bylaw officers, were dispatched to Cypress Falls Park at 2:50 p.m. on Sept. 16 after a person walking a dog in the park reported the dog had went off the trail and got stuck on a cliff.

After entering the park, emergency crews were shown the dog’s last seen location by the dogwalker. The fire department located the pooch approximately 15 feet below the trail on a steep cliff edge, said assistant fire Chief Jeremy Calder.

“Crews set up for a high angle rescue and lowered the rescuer down to the dog. The dog was placed in an animal rescue harness and both were raised up back to the trail,” said Calder.

The dog appeared to be in OK condition after emergency crews brought it back onto the trail, said Calder, adding that the rescue took less than an hour to complete.

With more rainy and slippery weather ahead, Calder said the department is reminding hikers and dogwalkers alike to use caution on North Shore trails, especially with potentially raising water levels and faster moving streams and rivers in the fall and winter months.

“Use caution and a leash in the Cypress Falls trails or in Cypress Falls Park as the trail’s adjacent to a steep cliff with unstable edges,” said Calder. “With the coming rain, use caution around high-flowing creeks and streams.”

This article was originally published by North Shore News.