Dog saves injured snowmachiner

PETERSVILLE — Alaska State Troopers say a golden retriever kept its injured owner warm overnight after a snowmachine crash, then led help to his location.

According to an AST press statement, at 2 p.m. Thursday, Tom Taylor, 68, of Trapper Creek called to say he and a friend had been riding in the Jake Lake area when a golden retriever ran up to them.

“The dog, named Amber, led them approximately 400 yards to an injured snowmachiner laying in the snow,” according to the statement. “The victim, Otis Orth, age 52, of Trapper Creek had crashed his snowmachine and had been laying in the snow since the previous day. Amber had remained with her owner, keeping him warm overnight, until she heard the snowmachines go by.”

According to the press release, the two snowmachiners and multiple local cabin owners helped keep Orth warm until help arrived. He was conscious and breathing, but his injuries prevented him from moving.

Orth was flown to an Anchorage hospital, where troopers say he is listed in stable condition.