Firefighters rescue dog after she falls into quarry
GRESHAM, Ore. – A shout of joy from officials with the Oregon Humane Society went up Tuesday night, signaling a dog that had fallen into a quarry was back on solid ground.
Gresham firefighter Bob Chamberlin was lowered just before 10 p.m. into the quarry at 1339 N.W. Eastwood Ave. to pluck Daisy, a 2-year-old pit bull mix, from a ledge. During the afternoon, Daisy had fallen 50 feet into the quarry owned by Knife River. She landed on the ledge, narrowly escaping another 150 foot drop.
"I'm so excited," said Daisy's owner Tammie Johnson after her dog was rescued. "I just can't believe she's back, and I can't believe she did this. It's like, oh my God this is almost embarrassing."
Daisy disappeared last Tuesday not far from the quarry. Johnson posted missing fliers in the neighborhood and received calls from people who saw her fliers and then the dog on the news.
Daisy did not appear to be hurt, other than a bump on the nose, and the first thing she did after being rescued was drink a lot of water out of a mud puddle.
During the rescue, Chamberlin was dangled over the quarry tethered to a ladder and was slowly dropped onto the ledge.
"She was dug into the bank," he said. "I took a t-shirt the Humane Society gave me – the owner's t-shirt – as soon as she sniffed that she was right up against me and was ready to go."
After Chamberlin strapped on the harness, both dog and firefighter were lifted to safety. During the ride up, Chamberlin said he tried to have Daisy concentrate on the sunset with him to forget about the rescue. He said she squirmed a bit because she was a bit too small for the harness.
Rescuers had to wait to get permission from the federal agency that oversees the quarry, Mine Safety Health Administration, and once the agency gave the go-ahead, they proceeded with the rescue.
In an earlier rescue attempt, rescuers decided to lower a boom to the ledge. The boom had a trap on the end with food. They hoped the dog would go into the trap so she could be pulled up.
Thanks to the people who made the decision to rescue this animal. It is wonderful to know that there are people who care for animals and who will invest the time and money to do it. Â I congratulate all involved. It is a very pretty (and lucky) dog! :)
Awesome Story... Amazing what some people will do to save the life of animals in danger... i wish the view of dogs at shelters was something like this video... like a bunch of dogs precariously in deadly danger on the cliff of a mountain... instead of precariously in danger of going to the gas chamber... with no rescue in sight.
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ps. i believe the video would be much more enjoyable to watch without that giant imposing "Breaking News Alert" banner disturbing the view... near the beginning, showing the firefighter walking toward the dog on the cliff... the dog is just about not visible...
People seem to forget Firefighters are paid whether they are doing anything or not, or they are volunteers. And the equipment used may have been on sight already. And yes the poor dog should have been rescued. I am sure there are many of us who would have volunteered to take that ride to get her. As far as our tax dollars at work goes, it seems a better use than most of the other things they are used on.
 @Yamhill354 "As far as our tax dollars at work goes, it seems a better use than most of the other things they are used on."
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...tax dollars for gas chambers, for dogs, for example...
Our tax dollars at work ?
@Howdy Damn right!! most dogs are better than most men I have ever met. I would step infront of a car to save a dog over a human anyday. I would rather pay this man 100000 times to save this dog than to give Tri-met a single dime. yes sir our tax dollars at work is right!!
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 @HarryJuku Oh please! Just shut up for cryin' out loud.
 @HarryJuku i agree, harnesses - collars - leashes are a cheap fix.
you can find dog supplies cheap, i even sell them at www.whirlydogsupplies.com
the guy above mentioned our tax dollars hard at work... well if the dog owner was more responsible, spending five or ten bucks would have been better then thousands.
 @Tom Mefford  @HarryJuku  @Tom  @Howdy ...true it's a mistake... an "accident"...both of which happen to everybody alive... isn't there some saying about "throwing stones" or something like that...? ...be thankful that in lieu of said "forgivable" mistake/accident... everything worked out OK... and a message was created for a great many people through the plethora of information technology to be careful about leasing up their dogs... and/or just being more safety conscious and aware... maybe the Universe had something in mind with this story/message.
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Just last week I bought one of them cork screw things you screw into the ground and a long lead with strong clasps for my little ol' lady dog, Gemma... (at Walmart... Cheap!)... and Now I'm even more Happy about my purchase than I was... about 15 minutes ago...
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Enjoy, Be Safe (especially today, the 4th of July... Boom!), be thoughtful about your Pets!
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Ps. Beautiful Happy Pittie by the way...
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Oh, and Ps. Again... I like the comment about the Pit in the Pit (Hahahahaha!)
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john b.
@HarryJuku @Tom Mefford @Howdy I am sorry. I did not know I was around perfect people. I am very sorry for my mistake.
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Not all dogs are running free. Just like HUMAN CHILDREN, they manage to find a way out and wander.  I'm missing a dog that somehow got over a 6' fence -- she's only 10lbs. She's even chipped, but no one has returned her yet. But I'm sure in your mind you will find some way to blame me.
Put a tape recording of the owner calling the dog inside the trap. That will get the dog near the trap. Then have some bacon (maple flavored of course) inside the trap.
Put me in the basket . I'll rescue him. Woof woof (wagging tail)
GREAT! I can hear the helecopters for the dog but what's up with the cops searching for someone in the wooded area of Wallula between Division and Burnside in Gresham???
 @randompersoncommenting The activity off Wallula is Probably cleaning out a homeless camp.  It popped up in the woods there between the apt. on Division and the houses after they cleared them out across the street.
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@Joel VanHalen ......like most snakes no emotion. Time to crawl back under your rock.
@Rob C :   sometimes emoshum can get in the way of gittin 'er dun.  they should have put an injured cat in the cage.  my "snake" would strike an emotion in you! the emotion of inadaqucy. HAHA USA USA
A pit fell into a pit !