Dog is rescued from Freshwater Bay bluff

Published 1:30 am Thursday, February 13, 2020

PORT ANGELES — Max the dog is safe, uninjured and back with his family after spending about five hours trapped on a ledge.

The Airedale terrier had fallen from a bluff in the area of Freshwater Bay Road on Tuesday, said Sgt. Shaun Minks in a press release issued Wednesday.

“He was chasing a deer and got too close to the bluff,” Minks said.

His owners, who are in their 80s, realized Max was on a ledge about 50 feet down from the cliff edge when they heard the 1-year-old dog barking, Minks said.

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office was notified at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and had Search and Rescue team members there by 5:30 p.m., Minks said.

A member repelled down to the dog, placed him in a harness and retrieved the grateful animal, Minks said.

Max was glad to see him, Minks said.

“As soon as guy got down there and gave him some treats, he was all over him.”