Rescuers save stranded dog in Hesperia rushing water

Dog Rescued from Steep Mountainside in Hesperia

HESPERIA, Calif. (KABC) — A few good Samaritans helped a dog stranded in rough terrain in Hesperia. The dramatic rescue was captured on exclusive video.

A hiker spotted a German shepherd stuck on a steep mountainside above rushing water on Monday. She tried to coax the dog down, but it was getting dark and she had no cell service. She had to retreat for safety and called for help.

Thankfully, members from Animal Advocacy and Iron Paw Rescue responded around 8 p.m. They managed to cross the water by anchoring themselves with a cable tied to a truck.

Once they reached the dog, they kept it calm. The video shows them sitting with the animal and giving it food. However, as the water became more aggressive, the dog and its rescuers were stuck on the embankment.

Mark Premasing from Iron Paw Rescue described the dangerous current. “Darn near went under and that caused Aaron to go into the water a lot more so we both kind of freaked out for a second,” he said. “Didn’t have a life vest on like we should have. We were just more worried about getting to the dog on the other side of the river.”

With everyone stuck on the other side, the San Bernardino County Fire Department crews arrived around 11 p.m. First responders brought them back across the fast-moving water using a secured raft.

It remains unclear how the dog ended up on the mountain or how long it was there. Premasing confirmed that the dog is now safe, as is everyone else.