Posted: 15:39, 20 July 2022 | Updated: 16:50, 20 July 2022
A fiercely loyal black Border Collie led rescuers 200 yards to his 53-year-old owner, who had broken his hip and several ribs during a hike in a California forest on July 13. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team hailed good-natured Saul as a “real Lassie” after the pet showed rescuers where his owner was, trapped and injured. Twenty-five rescuers searched the area, which is inaccessible by vehicle, for seven hours before finding Saul. One of the rescuers said the pet apparently made eye contact with the group before heading to where its owner would be found, Sergeant Dennis Haack told The New York Times. Saul began spinning in circles and then ran 20 feet ahead of them, eager to bring help to his sick owner. Sergeant Haack told the Times that one of the rescuers said over the radio, “Hey, I think this dog is trying to lead us somewhere… So we’re going to follow him.” Saul the Border Collie led rescuers 200 yards to his 53-year-old owner, who had broken his hip and several ribs during a hike in a California forest The man fell 70 feet off a ridge, breaking his hip and several ribs. Fortunately, Saul and the Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team came to the rescue Saul and his man, who lives a ‘kind of secluded life’, had gone on a hike near the Tahoe National Forest in early July (pictured) At first, Haack didn’t believe much in it, thinking his team could find the man because he’s so good at it, he told the Times. Saul and his man, who lives “kind of a secluded life,” had gone on a hike near the Tahoe National Forest in early July. But things went south when the man fell 70 feet off a ridge, breaking his hip and several ribs. He managed to get to an area with cell phone service with man’s best friend by his side and called 911 for help. One of the rescuers said the pet apparently made eye contact with the group before heading to where its owner would be found, Sergeant Dennis Haack said. A friend of the injured man had predicted that Saul would lead rescuers to his owner and had shown pictures of the pet to the rescue team, telling them to “look for Saul”. A friend of the injured man had predicted that Saul would lead rescuers to his owner and had shown pictures of the pet to the rescue team, telling them, “look for Saul.” “They started following him. They went somewhere between 150 and 200 yards and went right at the victim,” Haak told NBC. The 53-year-old victim was later found lying on a bed of dirt and covered by a camouflage tarp. His injuries were described as traumatic by authorities. After being rescued, Saul was briefly led to a non-profit organization where he received many praises for his faith. Meanwhile, at the hospital, the grateful owner repeatedly asked to be reunited with his rescuer and best friend, Haack said. When man and dog were finally reunited, Saul was rewarded with a well-deserved beef staff. “He’s very fortunate that his dog directed our search personnel to him,” Haack told NBC.
