An elderly tourist who had been missing for six days was found dead in an Arizona raw forest with his loyal dog, who was still alive next to him, officials said.
The body of 74-year-old Donald Hayes was found by authorities on Wednesday near Mount Mingus in north-central Arizona, about 85 miles north of Phoenix, a statement from the Yawapai County Sheriff’s Office said.
When responders arrived, they found Hayes’ dog, Ranger, “very dehydrated and malnourished,” lying next to his body, officials said.
Respondents took the puppy to an animal hospital before he was returned to Hayes’ wife, a sheriff’s spokesman said.
The cause of Hayes’ death was not immediately clear.
The missing man called his wife earlier in the week and told her he was lost after embarking on a campaign with Ranger. She called authorities, sparking a six-day ground and air search of Hayes, which included officials from four counties and a state police helicopter.
Authorities told him to stay where he was, but he appears to have ignored instructions.
Police and rescuers told Hayes to stay put, but reportedly did not follow the advice. Yawapai County Sheriff’s Office / Teams of people from four counties were involved in the search for Hayes. Jawapai County Sheriff’s Office
“Unfortunately, the victim resigned from the council and tried to find a way out, which led him to get lost further in the woods,” said the sheriff’s department.
The man and his dog were found about six miles in a straight line from the road, but more than twice the distance due to the difficult terrain, officials said.
“I thank all the volunteer search and rescue teams and others who took the time for six days to find the victim and bring him home,” said Sheriff David Rhodes. “Our searchers used every tool they had to find Mr. Hayes and never gave up.”
Hayes’ body was found near Mount Mingus in northern Arizona. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office / GoFundMe was set up for Ranger’s veterinary accounts after being rescued. GoFundMe
GoFundMe’s campaign for Ranger’s veterinarian bills raised more than $ 4,300 as of Friday night.
“The Ranger is improving,” the website said. “He’s having dinner. The hope is that he will be released to his family tomorrow
With postal wires
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