British Columbia

North Shore Rescue save a dog after chipmunk chase goes awry

North Shore Rescue team harnessed up to save a dog stuck on a cliff at the top of St. Mark's Summit on the Howe Sound Crest Trail in Cypress Provincial Park.

'One lucky dog. Hope the owner puts it on a leash next time'

This black and white dog ran almost straight off a cliff after a chipmunk. (North Shore Rescue)

North Shore Rescue team members harnessed up to save a dog stuck on a cliff at the top of St. Mark's Summit on the Howe Sound Crest Tail in Cypress Provincial Park July 16.

The dramatic dog rescue was lauded by many on social media, who reminded the owner to follow the park's leash rules next time. Park rules say dogs must be leashed and under control at all times.

"Other than a few scratches, was miraculously ok. Members rappelled down, secured the dog on a ledge and brought it back to safety. A happy dog, and a very relieved owner!" said a post on the North Shore Rescue Facebook page.

An off-leash dog that nearly raced off a cliff got a helping hand back to safety by North Shore Rescue July 16. (North Shore Rescue/Facebook)

"One lucky dog," wrote Laurie Kulak on Facebook, lauding the rescuers.

"Hope the owner puts it on a leash next time," she added.

NSR tweeted that the dog chased a chipmunk almost straight off a 140-foot (42-metre) cliff at the popular trail summit on Vancouver's north shore.

"[N]ice outcome, and a reminder that dogs must be leashed at all times in Cypress Provincial Park (parks regulation), which includes all of the Howe sound Crest Trail," wrote Andrew Wong on Facebook.