Missing dog found 150 feet down a cliff at Petit Jean State Park

A casual get-together at an Arkansas state park turned into a frightening rescue operation after a dog named Red went missing.

Following a frantic search, Red's owners heard her barking and found the dog down a steep cliff. 

Here's what to know

Before Red disappeared, Phyllis Hawkins, Red's owner, had been going in and out of her cabin in Petit Jean State Park to check on the dog and keep her from getting too hot, KARK reported. Later, while spending time with friends and family and watching football, she realized Red was gone.

"I'd been out two or three times to check on her in and out, where she wouldn't get hot. Well, there was evidently a gate latch that didn't secure," Hawkins said.

The family started looking for Red right away, and Hawkins then heard barking coming from somewhere below them. "It was probably 150 feet down straight," Hawkins said.

From where her family stood, Red was stuck far below on a steep slope, leaving her in a precarious place and making any attempt to reach her risky. Petit Jean State Park is known for its dramatic scenery, rugged terrain, and sudden drop-offs.

What's being done?

The rescue effort included Petit Jean firefighters, emergency management personnel, state park rangers, and others, Hawkins said, and they ultimately brought Red back to safety.

"They did not hesitate to drop down and go get the dog," Hawkins said. "I was just relieved. I was more relieved and thankful." Hawkins said Red came through the incident with heat exhaustion and a skinned elbow. 

Where can I learn more?

Red's rescue on Petit Jean's cliffs brings to mind other close calls outdoors, where dogs slipped out of sight and left their owners fearing the worst. From a Florida sinkhole to the edge of Yellowstone hot springs, these stories show how fast an ordinary outing can turn into a desperate search.

• In Florida, rescuers pulled a small dog unharmed from a 40-foot sinkhole after a week.

• At Yellowstone, a loose dog was spotted running near hot springs before disappearing from view.

• In an Australian wildlife reserve, a hero dog made a discovery of a lifetime unexpectedly.

Stories like these remind us how often dogs end up in precarious situations outside. If Red's fall rattled you, they offer a little more context for the risks and surprises that can come with time in the outdoors.

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