Chamba: A loyal dog stood guard over its owner’s body for four days amid heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district, a scene that has moved people across the country and highlighted the deep bond between humans and animals.
The incident was reported from the Bharmour subdivision, near the Bharmani temple, where two youths — identified as Vikshit Rana and Piyush — had gone missing during severe snowfall. Authorities later confirmed that both died after getting trapped in extreme cold conditions in the snow-covered mountains.
When rescue teams and local villagers reached the spot after four days, they found one of the bodies buried under thick layers of snow. Sitting beside it was the man’s pet dog, which had refused to leave the spot throughout the ordeal. Officials said the dog neither moved away nor ate anything during this period and continued to guard the body despite harsh weather and the threat of wild animals.
A video of the rescue operation, carried out with the help of the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Response Force’s helicopter service, has since gone viral on social media. It shows the dog initially turning aggressive as rescuers approached, apparently mistaking them for a threat to its owner. After repeated attempts to calm and reassure the animal, the rescue team managed to lift the body, following which the dog finally stepped aside.
Officials involved in the operation said the scene left even seasoned rescuers emotional. The incident has drawn widespread reactions online, with many calling it a powerful reminder of loyalty and compassion beyond human relationships.
