> At a Glance
> – A 14-year-old dog named Fritz survived being trapped overnight in a creek at the bottom of a 30-foot ravine in Oregon
> – Neighbor David Fitch heard barking, tracked the sound, and called the Lewis & Clark Volunteer Fire Department for rescue
> – Crews used ropes, ladders, and a MegaMover to lift the cold dog to safety
> – Why it matters: Pet owners are reminded how quickly older animals can vanish-and how dramatic community rescues can be
A quiet Sunday morning turned into a life-saving mission when a missing senior dog was found submerged in a creek deep inside an Oregon ravine.
Fritz, a black-and-white Australian shepherd-border collie mix, disappeared the previous day. His owner lives next door to David Fitch, who heard frantic barking while tending his chickens on January 4.
The Search and Discovery
Fitch and his son followed the sound until it led them to the edge of a steep drop.
There, roughly 30 feet down, they spotted Fritz stuck in cold running water.
> “The dog had been in the water forever, probably overnight,” Fitch told local media. “That would have killed a person, but he survived.”
The Rescue Operation
Lewis & Clark Volunteer Fire Department responded at 11:25 a.m., according to their press release.
On-scene crews found the dog at the base of the ravine beneath a shared driveway and prepared a technical rope system.
They deployed:
- Ropes and a ladder for crew access
- A MegaMover transport device to secure Fritz
- A blanket swaddle once he was lifted out
After warming the dog inside the rescue unit, firefighters carried him a short distance to reunite him with his grateful owner.
Similar Rescue in Texas
A comparable incident unfolded in Longview, Texas, on February 24, 2025.
A renter heard barking under the floorboards and alerted authorities. Animal-control officer Bobby Jumper located a dog trapped in a 12-foot-deep well beneath the house.
Using makeshift slings, crews spent about three hours extricating the animal-unharmed and wagging.
> “I was very shocked,” Jumper said. “I’ve been doing this for over seven years, and that’s the first time I’ve run into something like this.”
Key Takeaways
- Fritz’s overnight ordeal shows how quickly pets can wander into danger, even close to home
- Quick thinking by neighbors and professional responders saved valuable time and likely Fritz’s life
- Technical rescue gear-ropes, ladders, and transport sleds-proves essential for steep or confined-space saves
- Both rescues began with someone simply listening for a dog in distress
Fritz is now resting at home, proving that age and adversity are no match for determination-and a caring community.
