Two dogs have proved they really are man’s best friend by raising the alarm when their owner collapsed while hiking.
The 71-year-old man was walking his black and golden labradors on Braithwaite How, in the Lake District, Cumbria on Saturday when he collapsed and lost consciousness.
Amazingly, his dogs knew exactly what to do and sprung into action.
The black labrador ran after a walker the trio had recently passed while the golden lab stayed with its owner to protect him.
After the black lab alerted the nearby hiker, she called 999 and Keswick Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) was scrambled at about 11.30am.
By the time the team arrived the man had regained consciousness and after being assessed by the medic he was able to walk down the hill to an awaiting ambulance.
He was then taken to hospital for further checks.
Following the rescue, Diana Ross, the man’s wife thanked the walker who raised the alarm but she was keen to stress it was the ‘amazing dogs’ who had done the most.
A Keswick MRT spokesperson said: ‘A 71-year-old man was out on his own walking his dogs on Braithwaite How.
‘A few minutes after passing another walker he had an apparent seizure, collapsed and became unconscious.
‘Incredibly one of his dogs, a black labrador, ran after the passing walker barking to get her attention and tried to get her to return, which she duly did.
‘She found the other dog, a golden retriever, lying by the unconscious man.
‘Many thanks to the passing walker and the amazing dogs.’
Twelve members of Keswick MRT were involved in the rescue which took around an hour.
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