Sparta, TN- Around 6:15 PM Thursday evening, Sparta-White County Rescue Squad Rope Rescue Team responded to Fanchers Falls for a dog rescue.

They arrived on the scene and found that a citizen had gone over the bluff line in an attempt to retrieve the dog. The dog was approximately 45 feet over and the closest the citizen could get was a ledge about 15 feet above the dog. The gentleman decided it was too dangerous to go any further and made his way back to the top. A few minutes later the Rescue Team arrived on the scene and set up a rope system, to lower a member over with a small animal harness.

Rescue member, Jake Long, made contact with the dog and was able to apply the safety harness without incident. When “Rescue Jake” gave the all-clear to raise, the rope crew on top had already switched over to a 3-to-1 mechanical advantage haul system and started bringing the dog, which was connected to Rescue Jake’s harness, up to the top of the bluff out of the 180-foot gorge.

Asst Chief Sparta-White Rescue, Charlie Tollison states to not go over a bluff after a pet, to instead call for rescue. “We would much rather assist you than have to respond to an actual call for a rescue or recovery of you.”

Pictures and information by:

Charlie Tollison Asst Chief Sparta-White Rescue, TARS State VP