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Putnam County K‑9 rescued after fall down waterfall at conservation area

Fourteen‑month‑old K‑9 Rudy fell about 15 feet down a cliff alongside the Quaker Brook waterfall and landed on a small rock outcropping.

News 12 Staff

Mar 9, 2026, 7:23 AM

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A K‑9 is safe in Putnam County after falling down a waterfall on Sunday morning.

The Patterson Fire Department says it happened around 9:15 a.m. inside the Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area. Fourteen‑month‑old K‑9 Rudy fell about 15 feet down a cliff alongside the Quaker Brook waterfall and landed on a small rock outcropping.

Firefighters said it was a miracle the dog was uninjured and did not fall into the water. Crews from multiple departments were called in after Patterson firefighters saw snow and ice covering the wooded trails.

Once the teams were in position, Patterson Fire Captain Greco was lowered down the cliff on a rope. Rudy immediately jumped into his lap, and both were hauled back up to safety.

The fire department says the rescue took about two hours.

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