EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Officers with El Paso Animal Services rescued a dog who got stranded in the Franklin Mountains near the El Paso Police Department Training Academy.

Last week, officers were sent out after receiving reports of a dog stranded high on the mountainside.

Photos courtesy of El Paso Animal Services

When they arrived, they found Clifford.

“We don’t know how Clifford ended up there. We only know he needed help,” Animal Services said in a social media post.

Officers made their way up the mountain and worked slowly to try to secure him. But as they got closer, Clifford got scared and jumped nearly 40 feet down the rocky hillside.

Officers quickly took the dog to the City’s Animal Shelter, where the veterinary team there evaluated him.

Clifford was able to walk on his own, but an X-ray showed a collapsed lung, a serious injury that can make it difficult to breathe.

The veterinary team performed an emergency procedure to help the dog breathe comfortably again.

“Clifford still has a road to recovery ahead of him, but he’s already shown us just how resilient he is. Our medical team will continue monitoring his healing and provide any guidance his future family may need as he recovers,” Animal Services said.

Clifford is available for foster, and would love to recover in a loving home rather than in a shelter kennel. If you’re interested in him, reach out to Animal Services Department’s foster team at EPASFotser@elpasotexas.gov.

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