Sheriff’s deputies credit two K-9s with saving the life of a missing woman who fell 200 feet down a steep ravine in the San Bernardino Mountains, authorities say.
On April 18, at approximately 8:30 p.m., San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department deputies arrived at a large 500-acre property in Twin Peaks, where a 49-year-old woman was reported missing.
According to her family, the woman, who suffered from a traumatic brain injury, went out for a walk that evening and never returned. He told deputies he couldn’t remember where he last saw her.
After searching the premises for several hours with no success, deputies called in bloodhounds Keva and Naji to locate him.
When they arrived, the rescue was swift. Picking up his scent from the pillow, K-9 Nazi located a starting point. From there, K-9 Keva led deputies off the property, across a horse trail, and into a ravine.
“As soon as they get the scent, they get on to it, they get curious, and they’re ready to go to work very quickly,” said Deputy Gabriel Jasso, Keva’s handler.
About half a mile away, they heard him calling for help.
Deputies and their dogs found the woman in dense bushes, unable to walk. Had it not been for the puppies, deputies said, it would have been difficult to identify him. He was airlifted to safety.
Deputy Jasso described the puppies as “spunky,” “energetic,” and “hide-and-seek champions.” Overall, he has a total of 60 successful searches.
