MUNISING, MI— A special team had to be deployed to rescue a dog from a cliff ledge at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Friday.
A Wisconsin family with a 4-year-old cocker spaniel/poodle mix named Leo were visiting Miners Castle when the dog jumped over a railing at the lower overlook, slipped out of his collar, and fell to a cliff ledge 25 to 30 feet below. Park rangers heard a child scream and saw the dog limping and moving around.
As the family urged Leo to stay put, park staff and a volunteer from the Superior High Angle Rescue Professionals—or SHARP—team were called in. SHARP member John Miller was lowered to the ledge. For 25 minutes he coaxed Leo with dog food and bread, but the canine didn’t budge until Goldfish crackers were brought out.
Miller and Chief Ranger Joe Hughes made a makeshift harness for Leo and staff lifted him back up to the platform.
Leo’s family was very thankful. They said they were going to buy their pup a harness.
