Dog Protects Injured Hiker By Laying On Him To Prevent Hypothermia

As most dog lovers know, the canine species is better than humans in so many ways. In this amazing story from Croatia, an Alaskan malamute proved how far dogs will go to care for their human companions. When a hiker fell 500 ft down a snowy slope, this amazing dog lay on him for 13 hours to protect him from hypothermia and save his life.

Alaskan malamute dog saves a human

This story from Croatia reveals how in-tune dogs can be to our needs, while the Alaskan malamute saved an injured hiker’s life. Grga Brkić was climbing the highest peak in the Velebit mountain range last week (5,800 ft) when he fell almost 500 feet down a snowy slope.

The fall fractured Brkić’s leg, rendering him completely immobile. The hiker must have been terrified, knowing that there was nothing he could do to protect himself from hypothermia. However, two nearby hikers spotted him and his canine companion North, an eight-month-old Alaskan malamute. Brkić was lying at the bottom of the embankment, where they were unable to safely get to them. Due to this, they called for rescuers.

One rescuer was already on the scene

However, it turned out one rescuer was already on the scene. It is well known that Alaskan malamutes can handle very cold weather and are able to withstand temperatures as low as 20°F. This is due to their thick double coats of fur that keeps them cozy even in the frozen Arctic.

While the two hikers waited for 13 hours for around a dozen first responders to arrive on the scene, North did his trick. As the rescuers finally got to Brkić, they found the Alaskan malamute had “curled around [Brkić] and warmed him.”

Dog is a “real miracle”

Meanwhile, after his rescue, Brkić told the Croatian media that the time, until the rescuers arrived, was incredibly slow. However, he added that “this little dog is a real miracle.”

After the Croatian first responders, Hrvatska Gorska Služba Spašavanja got to work to save the hiker they called the rescue “one of the most difficult rescue operations” they had ever attempted. However, throughout the experience, the trusty dog refused to leave his friend.

On Facebook, Josip Brozičević, the leader of the Croatian mountain rescue team explained what had happened:

The dog was curled up next to the owner in the pit the entire time; he warmed his owner with his body, thus preventing the mountaineer’s significant hypothermia who suffered a severe fracture of the lower leg and ankle when he fell.

Once the rescuers were able to save Brkić and his hero dog, they were airlifted by helicopter to a hospital close by. Meanwhile, the hiker had to have an emergency operation, but North the dog was unharmed by the experience.

Following the rescue, Brkić’s family shared an update on the pair’s experience, letting everyone know that both are doing fine.

Antonija Sjauš Brkić wrote that North is home, “saying hello and relaxing.”

“Grga is going to be fine. HGSS … we have no words … thank you!!!”

According to the rescue team, the bravery and compassion of the Alaskan malamute are a lesson for us all. They wrote that his loyalty didn’t stop even after the arrival of the rescuers. Moreover, this should teach us the importance of caring for one another.