Dog Stays By Missing Woman's Side For 3 Days, Leading To Dramatic Rescue

A dog truly is a (wo)man's best friend. A loyal chocolate Labrador named Elsie stayed by her owner's side for 3 days and nights in remote central Utah, as search crews scoured the area. The 80-year-old woman, who has dementia, wandered from her family's cabin, sparking an extensive search involving multiple agencies and the community.

"The dog is ultimately the hero in all this for her loyalty, determination, devotion, and dedication." Ralph Mitchell, local resident and friend of the family

The Search:

• Helicopters, drones, and ground teams scoured the area for 2 days and nights.
• K9 officer James Thomas and his partner Kip joined, working at night due to high temperatures.
• Thomas heard faint barks, giving them an idea of where to search.
• Security footage on day 3 showed the woman walking with Elsie, providing a timeline and direction.

The Rescue:

• Mitchell, with first responder training, followed his instincts into rugged terrain where barks were heard.
• He found the woman asleep, scratched, bruised, and dehydrated, with her loyal dog by her side.
• She was taken to hospital, recovered, and is now home thanks to Elsie and the search teams.

A happy ending, with the family grateful for the efforts of all involved, especially Elsie's unwavering devotion.

*by Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY. For more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/06/15/ missing-utah-woman-found-dog-side-after-3-day-search/ 1155102003/