Flint, Dog Over Cliff in Snohomish

The rescue team make a plan. One of them is holding a dog harness built for lifting.

The two rescuers prepare to descend the cliff.

The rescue team prepares rope systems at the edge of the cliff.

The rescue team readies the rope system.

A rescuer manages the rope in the tailer position.

Two rescuers are beginning to descend over the edge of the cliff.

The haul team pull on the rope to raise the attendants back up the cliff.

A rescuer stands on the edge of the cliff, to watch and assist what is going on below.

Two rescuers are being hauled up on the rope. The head of the first is visible.

Two rescuers are being hauled up on the rope. Flint the dog is in their arms.

Two rescuers are being hauled up on the rope. They are right at the edge, setting the dog down.

Flint the dog is up the cliff and on solid ground with rescuers around him.

Flint the dog is back with his owner. He's receiving love and attention.

Flint, the bulldog, stands in front of a bowl of water, pausing from drinking to look around.

Three people clean up gear and put it back into the equipment van.

We received a call for a dog over a cliff in Arlington, WA, in Snohomish County.

We put a call out to the team, knowing it may be a fairly technical rescue. Once our first responder on site confirmed it would be. It was the middle of the work day and most of our technical team were at their various jobs, so we didn’t have quite enough to cover what we’d need for a rope rescue, we called Snohomish County Search and Rescue (SnoCo SAR), to see if they had technical rescue volunteers they’d be willing to ask for assistance from.

SnoCo SAR sent a team, including a member from Everett Mountain Rescue (EMR). Joining us as well was Deputy Einar Espeland. Our team started to set up anchors and prep for a high directional. Once the other team’s volunteers arrived, we discussed what we thought a good plan would be, and we all finished setting up.

We had two attendants get ready. The attendant is the person on the rope system who goes over the edge to reclaim the subject, whether it’s human or animal. One attendant was a WASART responder and the other was a SnoCo SAR member.

We lowered them and they found Flint, the 50 lb. English Bulldog who had slipped over, quickly. He did not display obvious injuries like fractures that would need us to send a litter down to assist bringing him back up, so the attendants put him in a harness, clipped the harness to the rope system, and held him as they were raised back up.

Flint was reunited with his family at the top and had a good drink of water.

A big thanks to Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office for the trust they continue to have for us, and for the assistance of SnoCo SAR and EMR.