Chihuahua Stays Still at Glacier Edge... Pet Dog Rescues Owner Who Fell Into Crevasse

Climber Falls While Hiking in the Alps
Rescued Thanks to Chihuahua Waiting at the Accident Site

A loyal Chihuahua that played a crucial role in rescuing its owner, who had fallen into a glacier crevasse while climbing the Swiss Alps, is being praised locally as a 'hero'.

According to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) on July 8, a man suffered an accident on July 4 while hiking above Saas-Fee in the Swiss Alps. The area is home to the large Fee Glacier, and the unidentified man, referred to as Mr. A, was hiking on the glacier with his pet Chihuahua when he suddenly fell into a crevasse eight meters deep.

Chihuahua. Capture from Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Fortunately, Mr. A was carrying a radio at the time of the accident. However, although the rescue team responded to his call for help, they struggled to pinpoint the exact location of the crevasse where Mr. A was trapped. A representative from the local rescue service, Air Zermatt, told SCMP, "The surface of the glacier was vast, and the holes were barely visible," adding, "It was difficult to find the collapse point of the glacier."

However, one rescuer noticed a small movement on a rock. The source of the movement was Mr. A's Chihuahua, which remained motionless at the edge of the crevasse where its owner had fallen.

The rescue service representative stated, "Thanks to the behavior of the pet Chihuahua, we were able to locate the accident site precisely," and added, "Rescuers were able to descend into the crevasse using ropes and save Mr. A." He emphasized, "It would not be an exaggeration to say that the dog's actions contributed significantly to the success of the rescue operation."

The high alpine regions of the Alps contain 'crevasses,' which are cracks formed between glaciers. Crevasses are fissures that develop in glacier valleys and often occur in steep or curved sections. In particular, the depth of crevasses in the Alps can reach several dozen meters, and they are often the cause of hikers becoming trapped after falling in.