Loyal Pit Bull Stands Guard Over Teen's Body for Four Days in Freezing Himachal Snowfall
In a heart-wrenching incident that highlights both the dangers of high-altitude trekking and the extraordinary loyalty of animals, a one-and-a-half-year-old pit bull dog stood guard over his owner's cousin's body for four days amidst extreme winter conditions in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district. The tragic story unfolded near the scenic Bharmani Devi shrine in the Bharmour area, where rescue teams recovered the bodies of two missing trekkers and their faithful canine companion.
Tragic Discovery in Snow-Covered Terrain
Rescue operations led by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) culminated on January 26 with the recovery of the bodies of Viksit Rana (19) and his 14-year-old cousin Piyush. The victims, both residents of different villages in Bharmour, had been missing since January 22 when they embarked on what was supposed to be a social media recording expedition. According to police officials, the two were found buried in snow, with Viksit's pet pit bull named Sherru refusing to leave Piyush's side despite temperatures plummeting to between minus nine and minus ten degrees Celsius.
ASP (Chamba) Dinesh Kumar Sharma provided crucial details about the incident: "Viksit was a blogger passionate about uploading videos and photographs of the hills on social media platforms. Before venturing into the high-altitude area, he had adequately prepared with sleeping bags, a trekking tent capable of accommodating at least two people, packaged food, and other essential supplies. He had also brought along his beloved pet pit bull Sherru."
Desperate Attempts for Help and Final Moments
The sequence of events leading to the tragedy reveals desperate attempts to seek assistance. Police investigations indicate that Viksit managed to contact a friend named Akshaya on January 22, urgently seeking help as Piyush's health began deteriorating. In a heroic but ultimately futile effort, Viksit was reportedly carrying his younger cousin on his shoulders while trying to descend from the treacherous terrain. However, he lost his way in the heavy snowfall that engulfed the region, and his phone subsequently switched off, prompting concerned friends to alert authorities.
"Unfortunately, the snowstorm was extremely intense," ASP Sharma elaborated. "We discovered sleeping bags, a tent, and other personal belongings near the bodies. The pit bull was found standing vigil near Piyush's body, demonstrating remarkable loyalty despite the life-threatening conditions."
Complex Rescue Operation in Avalanche-Prone Zone
The rescue mission presented significant challenges due to the remote location and hazardous weather. On January 24, the Chamba administration received information about the missing trekkers near the Bharmani shrine, triggering immediate mobilization of SDRF teams. A helicopter team comprising five SDRF personnel and a local guide was airdropped near the suspected location on Chutadiya peak, while ground teams advanced on foot through snow-covered, avalanche-prone terrain.
An SDRF officer described the recovery process: "The first victim located was Piyush, with the dog faithfully standing near his body. Both were airlifted to the Chaurasi Temple helipad. Viksit was located approximately three to four hours later, about 100 metres downhill from his cousin's position, and was similarly airlifted." Following post-mortem examinations, the bodies were handed over to their grieving families.
Family Backgrounds and Community Response
The personal stories behind the victims add layers of tragedy to the incident. Viksit Rana, a school dropout who had lost his father the previous year, is survived by his mother Anita Devi—who sells cow milk for livelihood—and a married elder sister. Piyush leaves behind his parents, two brothers, and three sisters, with police noting that his father suffers from a psychiatric illness.
Bharmour MLA Dr. Janak Raj confirmed that the loyal pit bull was safely brought down and returned to the family. "The pet belonged to Viksit Rana but was found keeping watch near Piyush's body," he stated, acknowledging the animal's unwavering devotion.
Geographical Context of the Tragedy
The Bharmani Devi shrine, where this tragedy occurred, is a picturesque religious site situated at approximately 9,000 feet above sea level. While the road distance between Bharmour and the shrine is about 16 kilometers, there exists a steep trek of nearly 5 kilometers that attracts adventure enthusiasts and pilgrims alike. This challenging terrain, combined with unpredictable winter weather, creates potentially dangerous conditions for unprepared trekkers.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with high-altitude expeditions during winter months, while simultaneously highlighting the profound bond that can exist between humans and their animal companions. The loyalty demonstrated by Sherru the pit bull amidst such adversity has touched many, even as families mourn the loss of two young lives in the prime of their youth.
