Dog survives 300-foot fall off cliff in Utah

ST. GEORGE, Utah-- A Utah family's dog is recovering after surviving a 300-foot fall.

The McInnes family of Eagle Mountain tells Salt Lake City's KSL-TV on Sunday that Toby, a 1-year-old English Sheepdog poodle, is resting at home.

The family was hiking Thursday at Gooseberry Mesa, west of Zion National Park, when Toby leapt off a cliff.

"The boys were right there with me; they saw him jump," said Ben McInnes, Toby's owner, to KSL.

Washington County sheriff's deputy Darrell Cashin says the dog fell 150 feet and then tumbled another 150 feet down the mountain.

A first responder was able to reach him and carried the 75-pound dog up a steep incline.

Toby suffered injuries to his head, brain and eyes, as well as several scrapes.

Dr. Kelly Houston, a veterinarian in St. George, says he's had patients who died after a 20-foot fall, and he was amazed by Toby's survival.

"I've been doing this for 25 years, and I've had patients fall 20 feet and die. ... I've never had one do what Toby did and survive," said Houston.