I've been up Bierstadt and agree - just a hike mostly on good trail.
If the idiot owner had just taken her up Bierstadt and back, the dog would have probaby have been fine. But the moron decided to also attempt to take the dog across the class-3 hike The Sawtooth over to Mt. Evans. Class 3 means you need handholds much of the time. Dogs don't have hands for free climbing. The dog probably had a horrible time on such a scramble.
IMO the guy is too dumb to own an animal. He should have reversed course as soon as he saw the dog starting to have problems with the class 3 terrain.
And that raises another question - why would you also be taking a younger person on a class 3 hike at that altitude and that kind of terrain?
I agree with your comments, dirtboy. This is one of those that leaves you shaking your head wondering what that guy was thinking. Of course, in most such situations they weren’t.
It sounds to me the guy (not man) was thinking more about his own interests and passions, and less about those under his care and protection.
A man puts the care and protection of those (human or animal) with whom he is entrusted BEFORE pursuit of his own interests and passions.