A late-night patrol by the Guardia Civil took an unexpected turn earlier this week when a small, frantic Yorkshire terrier darted into their path on a rural road in Zaragoza.
What followed was a rescue operation that may have saved the life of the dog’s 78-year-old owner in the small village of Bulbuente.
The incident occurred around 2.45am on July 2, when officers from the Tarazona outpost encountered the agitated animal barking at the edge of the road.
The dog refused to move, instead pacing nervously and drawing attention to a nearby embankment.
Suspicious of the dog’s behaviour, the officers exited their vehicle and soon heard faint human cries coming from below.
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Peering over the roadside, they discovered a steep, bramble-covered drop – roughly three metres down – where a man lay injured and barely responsive.
Using a rope, officers descended to reach the man, who was found with multiple injuries to his face, knees, and elbows, including visible bleeding from his nose and mouth. He was reportedly dazed and unable to move.
Emergency medical services and firefighters were dispatched immediately. Once stabilised, the man was stretchered from the ravine and taken first to the Borja health centre before being transferred to Zaragoza, where he remains under observation. His condition is described as serious but stable.
According to the Guardia Civil, the man had gone out searching for his dog, named Lucas, when he slipped from the path and fell.
He had been lying injured for several hours before the dog managed to flag down help. At the victim’s request, Lucas was taken safely home by officers.
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