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Rescuers Wheel Injured St. Bernard Mix Out Of Desolation Wilderness

DESOLATION WILDERNESS (CBS13) – It took a team of rescuers to get an injured St. Bernard mix out of the Desolation Wilderness the other day.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office says the 120-pound dog, named "Charlie," and his owner were out hiking in the forest near South Lake Tahoe when the big pup was injured.

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Rescuers strapped Charlie to a stretcher to get him out to safety. (Credit: El Dorado County Sheriff's Office)

With the dog not being able to move, the owner had to call for help.

A team consisting of members from the sheriff's office, Tahoe Search and Rescue and El Dorado County Animal Services responded. Charlie and his owner were on a narrow, remote foot trail full of rocky climbs and shear rock – meaning a vehicle would not be able to get to them.

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The shear cliffs and rugged terrain rescuers had to deal with. (Credit: El Dorado County Sheriff's Office)

The rescue team had to hike more than a mile and half to get to Charlie. Once the St. Bernard was strapped into a stretcher, the rescuers wheeled Charlie to safety – three miles down the trail to a waiting boat from Echo Lake Chalet.

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Charlie on a boat and on his way to the vet. (Credit: El Dorado County Sheriff's Office)

Authorities say Charlie is recovering well.

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