Lawrence, Johnson officials respond to canine stranded on cliff

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

US 23 — Officials from Lawrence and Johnson counties responded Monday to an animal rescue on U.S. 23, where a dog was stranded on a cliff.

W.R. Castle Fire & Rescue said in a release posted on Facebook that it was first notified Monday morning by Paintsville/Johnson County Emergency Management Director Gary McClure about the stranded dog. But Jennifer Preston of Paintsville said in a comment on the post that the dog had been there for more than two days.

Preston said that others tried to rescue the dog, 911 was called twice with no avail and they finally called Lawrence County Emergency Management director Travis Hughes, who responded but wound up stuck after the rope he used broke.

W.R. Castle said in its release that a plan was made to assemble the rope rescue team to meet and get the dog when proper equipment and personnel were in place.

“Emergency Management Services was notified of the plan,” W.R. Castle said in the post. “No one made contact with anyone with the W.R. Fire department that is responsible for that area prior to this morning.

“Before we could rescue the dog, we had to rescue Lawrence County’s Emergency Management director, who had gotten stranded on the cliff while attempting to help the dog. Paintsville firefighters used their ladder truck to bring him down. Once he was safe, our rope rescue technicians rappelled down to the dog. Unfortunately, the dog refused to come to his rescuer. After a second attempt, the dog slid down the cliff. He escaped capture but did not appear to be injured.

“The time and resources committed to rescuing the would-be rescuer delayed help for the dog. This is why it is so important to wait on rescuers who are properly trained and equipped. We appreciate everyone’s help and concern for the animal and no one was injured in the rescue.”

Lawrence County resident Randy Hall responded to the comments made regarding the stranded Lawrence County Emergency Management director’s attempt to rescue the animal.

“Okay, my question is how many in the Emergency Services has always done text book procedures? I will answer that, Zero! Everyone has done things and looked back and thought boy, I should have handled that a little differently,” Hall said in his post. “That’s where lots of knowledge comes from. Hindsight is 20/20, but to make a post and call out a brother responder publicly shows great lack of character. Did it take a little extra time, sure it did but everyone went home safe and that’s the main thing. God was watching over everyone. Now I can sit here and pick apart this scene starting with the lack of PPE, but that’s not the way true brothers and sisters operate. All I can say is great job by everyone involved on both rescues. Thank you for everything you do, it is greatly appreciated.”

Also assisting on scene were McClure, Johnson County Sheriff Scott Hazlette and Deputy Jeff Castle.