Deputy carries badly dehydrated dog in rescue of stranded hikers, California cops say

A deputy searching for two stranded hikers in “desperate need of help” on a Los Angeles trail found their 13-year-old dog in even more dire straits, California sheriff’s officials reported.

“The dog was so overheated and dehydrated, he couldn’t stand up let alone walk,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department parks bureau said in a June 19 news release.

“If he didn’t get the dog out of there, he would die,” the release said.

The deputy hoisted the dog onto his shoulders and carried him over several ridgelines about a half-mile back to the trailhead, accompanied by the hikers, sheriff’s officials said of the June 16 rescue.

Other hikers had flagged down the deputy and another officer, saying they passed hikers in need of help on a trail at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Nature Center.

One deputy hiked in to find the “severely dehydrated” hikers while the other remained at the trailhead to maintain radio contact, sheriff’s officials said.

The deputy found the stranded hikers, who said they could walk out but could not care for the dog, officials said. The deputy tried to give the dog water but it was still too weak to stand.

After arriving at the trailhead, the hikers and dog were feeling better and left the park without incident, sheriff’s officials said.

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Nature Center is located in the high desert near Agua Dulce Springs and contains 932 acres of “spectacular rock formations.” It has been featured in many films and television shows, according to parks officials.

Beating the heat

When temperatures are extremely high, some people’s bodies can have trouble regulating temperature.

In some cases, people can experience heat exhaustion and have muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and cold or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If heat exhaustion persists for too long, however, it can lead to heatstroke, the most serious form of heat injury. People experiencing heatstroke can have hot, red, dry or damp skin. They also can have a fast and strong pulse, and they can become confused. People should move indoors immediately and call 911 right away if they have symptoms.

If people choose to hike or be outdoors in dangerously hot temperatures, officials recommend the following tips:

This story was originally published June 22, 2023 at 11:40 AM with the headline "Deputy carries badly dehydrated dog in rescue of stranded hikers, California cops say."