Dog Saved From Plummeting Off Cliff by Owner in Shocking Clip

Mar 15, 2024

Some dogs are meant to lie on the couch, while others love to go for a hike. But what if the worst happens while trekking through the wilderness with your pet?

One TikTok user experienced a heart-stopping moment on a recent hike in Portland Oregon, when his dog plummeted off the side of a cliff. Luckily, Dexter the dog was wearing a harness, leash and hiking pack at the time, and his owner, Matt, hauled him back to safety.

In a video posted to @lovestruckadventures, which has received over 1.2 million views, Matt can be heard calling Dexter's name in a panicked way while his other dog looks on, then pulls him back onto the path.

"Having my dog wear a pack and on leash while hiking saved his life," reads the caption. The hashtag is #neardeathexperence.

"You're fast action really saved his life, the pack definitely helped but you were paying attention," commented one user.

Getting out and about in nature with your dog is a great way to keep fit and keep your pet healthy and stimulated. But as this video showed, it's not without risks, which can be mitigated by following certain guidelines.

The American Kennel Club suggests always equipping your dog with a dog collar with ID tags and "a sturdy six-foot leash."

I still can’t believe this happened #dogs #dogowners #psa #neardeathexperence

The American Hiking Society also suggests keeping your dog on a leash while hiking. It's a good way to ensure other hikers feel comfortable and "also helps to ensure his safety, since the leash keeps him under control and by your side," the hiking society says.

It continues: "Unleashed dogs can quickly run off when tracking a scent and may disappear from your view very quickly. Always use a leash so that you and your dog will finish your hike together safely and can hike again at another time."

Keeping your dog on a leash can also prevent it from disturbing wildlife, according to the hiking society. "It also prevents your dog from chasing wildlife and reduces the habitat damage that occurs when dogs run off the trail. Dogs can leave behind a predator scent that disrupts wildlife and may hinder nesting and feeding activities."

Users on TikTok were shocked by the video.

"Thank goodness you saved him...heart stopping! commented one user.

"That's why we hike in [harnesses] as well just to be safe," said another.

"The anxiety I got just watching this. I'm glad dexter is safe," wrote a third user.

Newsweek has reached out to the owner via email for comment.

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