Colorado hiker found dead after missing for months, dog still alive by his side: report

A Colorado hiker who went missing in August was found dead on a rugged Rocky Mountain peak last month, but his Jack Russell terrier miraculously survived and lay next to his owner’s body for months .

Rich Moore, 71, of Pagosa Spring, Colo., had been climbing the 12,500-foot mountain on Aug. 19, but never returned home. according to Fox News.

Search and rescue teams went in by helicopter and combed the woods just below the summit, then moved to the trailhead, where they found his car, the company said.

But they couldn’t find the man, despite reportedly spending more than 2,000 hours looking for him.

That was until about two weeks ago, on Oct. 30, when a hunter came across Moore’s body more than two miles east of the summit, along with his Jack Russell terrier, Finney.

Somehow, Finney had survived for more than two months in the desert, and never left his owner’s side.

Dozens took to social media to express their condolences to Moore’s family and to hail Finney as a “hero”.

“So sad, and yet so beautiful that little Jack Russell stayed with him all these weeks… Sometimes tragedies remind us of the bond between man and his best friend,” one person wrote on Facebook .

“I’m sorry this man died, but I’m glad his dog was by his side the whole time. And I’m glad the dog survived. Humans don’t deserve dogs. This faithful companion stayed with his best friend until he and his best friend were taken away,” wrote another.

Many noted how shocking it was that the Jack Russell survived, likely relying on poorly practiced hunting instincts to capture small prey, in an effort to keep up with Moore.

“There is no love like the unconditional love of dogs. What loyalty,” one person said.

According to Chaffee County Search and Rescue North, Moore was unprepared when he reached the top of a 13,000-foot peak in the Cottonwood Lake area near Buena Vista on Nov. 8.

Moore was wearing only a cotton hoodie, no water or food.

Investigators haven’t figured out how the man died, but they don’t suspect foul play. People complained. Moore’s remains were removed from the mountain on Halloween.

The terrain where Moore was found was so steep that rescuers, including a certified K9, were inserted into the top of the mountain by helicopter.

Finney was taken to the vet and later reunited with his family.

Moore’s family, meanwhile, were “glad to be able to get some closure as well as bring their dog home.” Taos Search and Rescue said on Facebook.