Dog travels 30km to reunite with owner after falling into lake

Rylee the dog swam more than 10km back to shore after falling into the lake and walked another 20km to a campsite to reunite with her owner's family.

Kristin Casas and her dog Rylee. Photo: ABC News

Mr. Edward Casas, 56 years old, told ABC News that the incident happened on August 28 in Lake Michigan, one of the five great lakes of the United States.

He was boating with his wife, Kristin Casas, 49, when the engine started to fail. He went down to check on the engine compartment while Kristin stayed in the cockpit. He believes their son’s 10-month-old dog, Rylee, fell into the lake at the time.

"Our hearts sank," he said. "We searched the entire boat for about 10 minutes and couldn't find it, even in the water."

Edward said he immediately radioed for help.

One of the fishermen who received the signal connected Edward with his wife, Lynn Fiedor, who now runs a volunteer group called "Lost Dog Search" in the area.

Fiedor said when she learned Rylee was a Belgian Malinois, known for his intelligence and agility, and had been trained in search and rescue, she had no doubt that Rylee would "find a way to get to shore."

“So the only thing left to do was to get everyone in the area to look for the dog once it was on land,” Fiedor said. She said she called the local sheriff’s office, the park rangers, the coast guard and posted the notice on her group’s Facebook page.

On the morning of August 29, she received a call.

“A woman said she saw it come into the Platte River campground,” Fiedor said. “It was amazing. Rylee swam 10 kilometers and walked over 20 kilometers in the woods.”

Rylee the dog was happy to be reunited with his owners. Photo: ABC News

Fiedor immediately notified Edward and Kristin. The two then drove to the campsite in a car borrowed from a local harbormaster. Fiedor told them the best way to attract stray dogs was to leave their scent around the car and use treats and toys to attract them.

Moments later, Rylee emerged from the woods, delighted to see her owners again. "There were a lot of tears, a lot of hugs," Edward said.

"I mean, I'm not a tearful person, but this really made me cry," he said. "I'm so proud of Rylee and so proud and grateful for Fiedor."

According to VNE