How a dog saved his owner’s life in an avalanche

VIENNA – Two people caught in an avalanche in Switzerland were rescued after their dogs barked for help, attracting the attention of nearby snow-shoers who were able to dig them out, air ambulance service Rega said on Sunday.

The avalanche swept the pair off a hiking trail in the Avers Valley of southwestern Switzerland, near the Italian border and west of St Moritz, shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, Rega said in a statement.

“Their dogs, who were not buried by the masses of snow, drew attention to themselves by barking loudly,” the statement said.

“The dogs attracted the attention of a group of snow-shoers who were some distance away in the same valley but had not witnessed the avalanche.”

Roughly 15-20 minutes after the avalanche the group was at the scene, where one of the avalanche victims’ hands was visible; the other person was buried entirely, Rega said. Both were dug out slightly injured and with mild hypothermia. Rega then flew them by helicopter to hospital.