Two people caught in an avalanche in Switzerland were rescued after their dogs barked for help, attracting the attention of nearby snow-shoers who were able to dig them out, air ambulance service Rega said on Sunday.

The avalanche swept the pair off a hiking trail in the Avers Valley shortly after 3pm on Saturday, Rega said in a statement. “Their dogs, who were not buried by the masses of snow, drew attention to themselves by barking loudly,” the statement said.

“The dogs attracted the attention of a group of snow-shoers who were some distance away but had not witnessed the avalanche.”