ALBANY, N.Y. - The Albany County Sheriff's Office rescued a 6-month-old puppy, Shiba, who had fallen off a cliff in the Hailes Cave area of Thacher Park Sunday morning.
Shiba's owner, Samantha and Creig Cullum of East Greenbush, told NEWS10 how that terrifying ordeal happened.
Samantha Cullum said she had taken her two dogs, Shiba and her sister Mia, on a hike. They weren't on leashes when they ran off after a couple of joggers.
"My heart was in my throat and of course, crying. It just freaked me off that I couldn't find them," Cullum said.
While Mia found her way back, Shiba didn't. A park ranger soon approached letting her know they believed the puppy had fallen off a cliff. By that time, hours had passed Creig came to meet his wife.
"When I got there she was barking. I could hear her barking over the edge," Creig Cullum said.
Deputies with the Albany County Sheriff's Department quickly responded; rappelling down the cliff to save the puppy. Cullum said it took those brave men and women nearly six hours to get Shiba out safely.
"They all just jumped in there, no questions asked. Its like they were getting another human, not a dog," Samantha Cullum said.
Cullum now hoping this frightening experience can serve as a reminder to other dog owners.
"A huge lesson that in an area like that don't ever take your dog off the leash, I thought I was letting her have fun, but it was definitely not a good thing," Samantha Cullum said.
Shiba will have to have her leg amputated, but she is in good spirits and expected to be just fine.
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