"Small dog hailed for rescuing hiker stuck in Swiss glacier"

A small dog is being called a hero after aiding in the rescue of its owner, who fell into a deep icy crack in the Swiss Alps.

Rescue crews from a local helicopter service acknowledged the dog’s role in guiding them to the hiker, who was later taken to a hospital.

The man and his dog were walking on the Fee glacier near Saas-Fee, close to the Italian border, when he unexpectedly fell through a snow-covered opening, dropping into an 8-meter-deep crevasse.

“While the man was trapped in the ice, his loyal dog remained near the edge of the crack,” the rescue team stated, referring to the incident as remarkable.

Initial reports suggested the dog was a chihuahua, though some observers questioned whether it might be another small breed.

The hiker used an amateur radio to call for assistance. A nearby person received the signal but struggled to locate him at the high-altitude site, approximately 3,200 meters above sea level.

A rescue team of three specialists was sent toward the glacier, but the exact spot where the man fell was difficult to identify due to the vast area and the small size of the opening.

“Then came a crucial moment—one rescuer noticed movement on a rock: the dog!” the team reported.

The animal, trembling with cold, stood near the hole where its owner had disappeared, barking to draw attention. Rescuers then descended, retrieved the hiker, and brought him to safety under the watchful gaze of his pet. Both were transported to a nearby medical facility.

“This dog is a hero—without its actions, the situation could have been much worse,” the rescue team said.

Earlier this year, rescue groups had cautioned hikers about the risks of hidden cracks in glaciers after multiple incidents occurred within a short period.