Heartwarming moment golden retriever called Leo is rescued by HELICOPTER after plunging

United States Coast Guard officers in Oregon executed the daring rescue of a sweet Golden Retriever who had plunged more than 300 feet over a sharp cliff and miraculously survived.

Leo, the three-year-old pup, had been out with his owners on New Year’s Day when he made a false move that led to him topplig over the edge of the cliff in Ecola State Park and onto the rocky shores of Cannon beach.

By the time the Coast Guard helicopter arrived, the local fire department had already set up a pulley system, which would be used to bring Leo back up the side of the cliff.

The shoreline where he injured dog was stranded is only accessible by repelling down the side of the cliff. 

Leo the three-year-old Golden Retriever miraculously survived a New Year’s Day plummet off a 300-foot cliff

High-tech footage of the rescue shows Leo curled up against the side of the shore, his damaged body pressed against the rocks.

His rescuer, a Coast Guard officer who was lowered into the water from the chopper and then swam to shore, calmly approached the dog, who allowed him to pick him up and strap him into a basket.

 Leo and the officer make it back to the helicopter, where the pilot can be heard asking the officer: ‘This your first dog rescue, Jason?’

‘First dog rescue,’ he responded.

Leo was then brought back to his owners who had a blanket to wrap him in and lots of gratitude for his rescuer.

‘Aw, hugs all the way around,’ a team member is heard saying on video.

The owners then quickly rushed off to the emergency vet, where Leo was diagnosed with a collapsed lung, pulmonary contusions, some deep cuts and bruises, and a broken tooth and jaw.

The family dog underwent surgery and will have to have another where a wire is inserted into his jaw, but spent just one night at the hospital.

All else being equal, the owners say Leo is in great condition and is now relaxing at home with his family, which includes one young pup called Remy.

The poor pup was carried by his rescuer back to his owners after being airlifted back up the cliff

The three-year-old dog underwent surgery but was kept in the hospital for just one night

Via repelling is the only way to access the rocky shore where Leo was stranded – the Coast Guard officer descended into the water before swimming to shore

The Coast Guard officer is seen handing off the injured dog to his concerned owners

The smiley pup is said to be extremely good natured and is now relaxing back at home with his family

Leo’s lucky fall is the second incident in which a dog survived the 300-foot plummet.

In June, a German Shepherd was also airlifted to safety after going over the cliff.

Dogs are meant to be kept on leashes at all times in Ecola State Park, which is about 80 miles outside of Portland.

The Cannon Beach Fire Rescue, which was one of four teams that responded to Leo’s case, warn: ‘Although the coast is beautiful, it is not perfectly safe. We’d like to remind everyone to keep dogs on leash when hiking unless otherwise stated ‘Dogs Allowed Off Leash’ on the state park website.’