Colorado Hiker Missing for Months Found Dead With His Loyal Dog Alive by His Side

A Colorado hiker, Rich Moore, who had been missing since August, was discovered deceased alongside his loyal dog on October 30, according to HuffPost.

Moore, a 71-year-old resident of Pagosa Springs, failed to return from his planned summit of Blackhead Peak on August 19.

Blackhead Peak, a 12,500-foot mountain situated in the rugged San Juan mountains in the southwest portion of Colorado, east of Pagosa Springs, became the focal point of an extensive search effort.

The grim discovery was made by a hunter in the area who stumbled upon Moore's remains and promptly notified the Archuleta County Sheriff's Office.

Notably, a white Jack Russell terrier was found alive at Moore's side.

Prior to this discovery, the sheriff's office, in collaboration with search and rescue groups from the region, had dedicated nearly 2,000 hours to locate the missing hiker.

Despite these efforts, Moore's fate remained unknown until the hunter's report on October 30.

Colorado Hiker's Retrieval

Following the discovery, a recovery crew was swiftly deployed the next day.

Rich Moore's lifeless body was found more than two miles east of the peak he had intended to summit, as conveyed by Delinda Vanne-Brightyn, a member of Taos Search and Rescue, per PEOPLE.

Vanne-Brightyn, along with her certified K9 partner AkioYodasan, detailed their search efforts, emphasizing the challenging terrain by noting that they were inserted into the area by helicopter due to its steepness.

The dedicated duo combed the region just under the peak-top and directly west in their quest to locate Moore.

Finney, the loyal Jack Russell terrier found alive at Moore's side, underwent a thorough checkup and treatment by a veterinarian.

The sheriff's office confirmed that Finney is now safely reunited with Moore's family, ABC News reports.

Vanne-Brightyn, a seasoned dog trainer with two decades of experience, lauded Finney's "magnificent story of survival" as a testament to the Jack Russell breed's dedication and toughness.

The hunter who discovered Moore's body clarified that it was about 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) east of the peak, a considerable distance from Moore's car, according to Vanne-Brightyn.

Archuleta County Coroner Brad Hunt determined that Moore, despite his experience as a hiker, succumbed to hypothermia.

Hypothermia, known to induce disorientation and confusion, was identified as the cause of death.

In a remarkable twist, Finney, the tiny Jack Russell, managed to survive the harsh conditions.

Vanne-Brightyn speculated that Finney likely sustained herself by hunting small animals such as mice while adeptly avoiding larger predators like mountain lions, coyotes, and bears.

Reflecting on Finney's survival, Vanne-Brightyn expressed the sentiment that if the dog could articulate her experiences, it would be an incredible tale.

Despite the tragic loss of Moore, Finney's return to the family brings a measure of solace.

"We are very glad... that Finney was returned to the family because they have lost their loved one, but they still have this wonderful, loyal dog," Vanne-Brightyn concluded.

Expert Explains Dog's Loyalty

Certified dog behaviorist and trainer Russell Hartstein asserts that it's not uncommon for dogs to develop an intense loyalty to their owners, sometimes to the point of unwavering dedication until death.

Hartstein emphasized the profound connection that can exist between dogs and their human companions during a CNN interview on Monday.

In particular, Hartstein noted that Jack Russell terriers, like the loyal companion in this case, are bred with survival instincts, often relying on their ability to hunt rodents or other small animals.

The Colorado Hiker and his loyal dog's story is not the first of its kind where a missing hiker has been discovered deceased with their faithful furry friend still by their side.

A similar situation unfolded last year in May when 74-year-old Donald Hayes went missing while hiking a mountain near Prescott, Arizona.

Authorities, as per a 2022 release, reported that when Hayes' remains were found nearly a week later in rugged terrain, his dog Ranger was alive and assumed to have steadfastly remained with him throughout the ordeal.

Ranger, Hayes' loyal dog, received necessary treatment at a local animal hospital, as stated in the release.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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