A hunting dog named Storm fell down a 35-foot shaft and was trapped in a cave in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
English Mountain located in East Tennessee in the western foothills of the Smokies with a peak of 3,629 feet is where Waldens Creek Volunteer Fire Department (WCVFD) and Sevier County Rescue Squad met at daybreak to come up with a plan to rescue the dog.
They decided the best option was to use a high-angle rope system to repel down the shaft and locate the dog and then lift him to safety.
According to a post by WCVFD, Rope Technicians Assistant Chief Schmidt and Captain Lanier along with Sevier County Rescue Squad Rope Technician Boroughs worked together and successfully rescued Storm.
The department shared a photo of the dog alongside his rescuers and wrote, “We are thrilled that Storm made it out safely.”
Storm appeared to be in good health and no injuries were reported.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States and one of the few that have dog-friendly trails. However, dog owners must keep their dogs on a leash and be on the lookout for black bear.
The park provides the following guidelines for dogs: “Dogs are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roads, but must be kept on a leash at all times. The leash must not exceed 6 feet in length. Dogs are only allowed on two short walking paths—the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. Pets are not allowed on any other park trails. Pet excrement must be immediately collected by the pet handler and disposed of in a trash receptacle. Pets should not be left unattended in vehicles or RVs.”
Click here for more information about dog-friendly trails inside the park and nearby areas that allow you to hike with your dog.