Colorado hiker missing since August found dead, his dog found alive next to his body

[mahatmakanejeeves]

U.S.

Colorado hiker missing since August found dead, his dog found alive next to his body

BY STEPHEN SMITH
NOVEMBER 13, 2023 / 6:45 AM EST / CBS NEWS

A hiker missing since August has been found dead in Colorado with his dog still alive next to his body, authorities said. ... The body of 71-year-old Rich Moore of Pagosa Springs, who had been missing since Aug. 19, was found on Oct. 30, according to a Facebook post last week by Taos Search and Rescue. Moore's dog was found alive by his side.

The Denver Gazette, citing the Archuleta County Sheriff's Office, reported Moore and his dog had gone missing after planning to summit Blackhead Peak, which is about 20 miles east of Pagosa Springs.



Blackhead Peak is located in the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado.

The sheriff's office said that Moore's body was found on Oct. 30 by a hunter in the Lower Blanco drainage basin, which is in a valley southeast of Blackhead Peak's summit, the Gazette reported. His white Jack Russell terrier, Finney, was next to the body, the sheriff's office said.

On Oct. 31, members of the sheriff's office and a search and rescue team were flown into the area to locate and recover Moore's body, the Gazette reported, citing the sheriff's office. Finney was transported to a veterinary hospital for treatment and has since been reunited with her family, officials said. ... Officials did not release Moore's cause of death, but said that foul play is not suspected. ... Blackhead Peak, which has an elevation of 12,500 feet, is located in the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado.

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[Bluethroughu]

1. Aww that's a best friend.

[revmclaren]

2. I am so happy Finney is back with her family.

But also so sad that she will never see her human that she loved so unconditionally again.

[LonePirate]

3. How did that dog survive in the wild for 3 months?

Finney is as resourceful as she is loyal.

[louis-t]

5. The Jack Russel dog would eat any rodent or other small animal.

They are very fast. Rain collecting in puddles would provide water to drink. Still pretty amazing.

[Hekate]

9. The Jack Russell is one heckuva dog. My daughter had a 1/2 Pomeranian 1/2 Jack Russell

…that was just as smart as a whip.

[JoseBalow]

6. "his dog still alive next to his body"

Can't you guess?

[Elessar Zappa]

7. Doubtful.

He’s a Jack Russell, they can catch rabbits or rodents before they’d resort to eating their owner.

[JoseBalow]

8. I hope that's true

[Demovictory9]

4. This marks at least the third time a dog has been found alive next to a hiker's body since last year. In May 2022, a Lab

This marks at least the third time a dog has been found alive next to a hiker's body since last year. In May 2022, a Labrador was found lying next to the body of a 74-year-old Arizona man who had died during a hike.

[sdfernando]

10. So sad that Rich Moore died,

I’m 1000% sure Finney did everything possible and staid with Rich in hopes of someone finding him.

Dogs can be such special and loyal companions.

I wish I could have a doggie companion but my work and travel schedule precludes that. I’d want to be as loyal to a dog as a dog would be to me. Perhaps when I retire I will know again what joy a dog can bring.


Rest in peace Rich….and Finney, you are an amazing creature!