In Flagstaff, Arizona, police are calling a local dog a hero for leading them to a hiker who would have frozen to death at the base of Mount Elden during this year’s first April snowstorm.
John Paul Roccaforte’s family was inside their home near the mountain when Marley, a two-year-old black Labrador mix, woke up at 1 a.m. and started barking.
An icy overnight storm had dumped nearly a half-foot of snow in the area and it was about 32 degrees outside – with a bitter wind chill.
Marley kept sniffing around outside and barking. He wouldn’t let up. He was relentless.
Sure enough, a hiker was lost, soaking wet, and hurt about 75 yards away from the home in a nearby forest.
Because of Marley, the lost hiker was located and rescued by emergency services.
The Roccaforte family rewarded Marley with lots of treats, bones, and extra love – but Marley hasn’t let the title of “hero” go to his head. He’s gone back to being his regular old self.
