"Lucy" - stranded on a high cliff just off Bennettstown Road in western Alleghany County on Sunday, August 30, 2020. The dog was rescued by a team from the Boiling Springs Fire & Rescue Squad.

Blue Tick Hound Rescued By Boiling Springs Rescue Squad Team   Boiling Springs, VA (Aug. 31, 2020) - On Sunday afternoon, the Alleghany County Sheriff's Department notified members of the Boiling Springs Fire and Rescue Squad about a stranded blue tick hound stuck on a cliff near Bennettstown Road. The bear dog, owned by Nathan Washburn, had a GPS (radio) collar on her and that led to her being located on a steep cliff near Potts Creek. Ken Martin and a team of several others from the Boiling Springs Fire & Rescue organizations swung into action to provide a solution. How "Lucy" got onto the steep cliff, perhaps as high as 200 feet, and what looked like a precarious position isn't known. Martin told the AlleghanyJournal.com that he had repelling experience as a paramedic in Roanoke County. Using a big tree at the top of the cliff, his crew was able to lower him down the slope to Lucy's position just after 2:30 p.m. He was able to coax her into his arms and attach a harness before descending about 80 feet to the ground. "It was definitely a team effort," Martin said. "On my way down with the dog, I stepped on a portion of the cliff and disturbed a yellow jacket's nest." Martin said he was stung about 20 times and Lucie was nailed by the angry insects as well. "Lucie was a real sweetheart," Martin remarked. "It was a really cool rescue." (The Journal will have some video clips of the rescue coming up later.)

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