Community Police & Fire

Gig Harbor firefighters rescue man and dog after fall from cliff

Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One rescued a dog and its person from the bottom of a cliff on 13th Avenue on Sunday, March 16.

According to Gig Harbor Division Chief Tom Wescott, a 100-pound Doberman pincer fell over a cliff on the 4000 block of 13th Avenue around 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Its owner went down to retrieve it, but soon determined neither of them could get back up without help.

Gig Harbor firefighters rescued a 100-pound doberman that fell over a cliff on 13th Avenue late Sunday. Photo courtesy Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One.

A friend called 911. Gig Harbor and Tacoma firefighters responded and “conducted a high-angle rope rescue to extricate both the dog and the homeowner,” Wescott said.

The Doberman and the homeowner were back on high ground by 11 p.m.

“This was yet another example of joint training paying off in the ‘real world,’ ” Wescott wrote in an email. “Gig Harbor Fire and Tacoma Fire train together on a regular basis for situations just like this.”

Gig Harbor firefighters rescued a 100-pound doberman that fell over a cliff on 13th Avenue late Sunday. Photo courtesy Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One.