Posted on 08/28/2015 5:20:37 PM PDT by ponygirl
SALMON, Idaho — A man hiking through a national forest in Idaho suffered severe burns and his two dogs were scalded to death when both canines plunged into a hot spring and he jumped in after them to try to save his pets, authorities said on Tuesday.
The freak accident occurred last week in the Panther Creek Hot Springs, a popular spot in the sprawling Salmon-Challis National Forest, about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of the tourist town of Salmon in east-central Idaho.
Temperatures at Panther Creek, usually mild enough for human bathing, had apparently grown dangerously high, possibly from drought conditions that may have curtailed cool water flows that normally mix with the springs' geothermally heated groundwater, forest spokeswoman Amy Baumer said.
The hiker, who was not publicly identified, was out walking through the mountains with his dogs last Thursday when both pets leaped into the hot springs, killing one animal outright and prompting the man to plunge into the searing water to rescue the other, authorities said.
The second dog later died of its burns after being taken to veterinarians for emergency treatment.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
Our paper said the springs, which are close by, will get to boiling temp lately. The paper warned not to jump in like usual.
This is not funny.
Truth.
Very sad for all involved but I would guess the dogs were not leashed since he had to go in after them instead of pulling them out.
Another reason to keep your dogs leashed or restrained whenever off property.
It seems odd that the dogs would have decided to jump into such hot water. One would think they would sense that it was at a dangerous temperature and avoid it.
Filmed in Wallace, ID. Lots of matte paintings to "fill in". Salmon sits over the western most part of the Yellowstone magma chamber. 37 miles from my door step is Lava Hot Springs. A great tourist spots. The hot spring water is controlled to selected temperature ranges into large swimming pools. $3 for an all day pass. Lockers so you can change into swim trunks. A fun place all year. Sitting in the hot water with your hair freezing is a favorite Winter activity.
Damn, I would do anything for my dog. But my dog isn’t so stupid as to jump into boiling water.
Anybody that doesn’t have his dogs leashed in bear country can’t whine.
Any one of us who loves their boys and girls.
I can only guess the dogs had swam there before when the waters were at normal temps and just jumped right in assuming it was business as usual.
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