Hiker climbs 13,000ft to rescue Missy the German Shepherd after owner left it to die

UK Daily Mail ^ | 8-16-2012 | Emily Anne Epstein

[Mountain Bike Vomit Carnage]

Two Denver hikers are locked in a bitter battle over the fate of a German Shepard named Missy, who was abandoned by one and then rescued by another at 13,000 feet.

Scott Washburn found the dog bloodied and near-death atop Colorado's Mt Bierstadt and then organized a search and rescue party to save her.

He wants to keep the dog, alleging that Anthony Ortolani lacks the ability or compassion to care for the creature, which went without food and water for eight days.

But Mr Ortolani says he didn't abandon the animal, an oncoming storm forced him to choose between staying by her side and perishing, or going down the mountain without her.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2189640/Canine-custody-battle-Hiker-climbed-13-000ft-rescue-Missy-German-Shepherd-wants-owner-forced-leave-dog-mountain.html#ixzz23pYWurwx

[green pastures]

From the internet I’ve learned that the owner couldn’t carry the dog; and that authorities were contacted and declared that they couldn’t do it.

I had read a different article than this one, and did not do other internet research. My understanding from the other article was that while authorities were contacted about the dog, and while they stated they could only go in to rescue people, it was not the owner who contacted authorities. Instead, other hikers had reported the abandoned dog to authorities. The original owner may have needed to get another person down the mountain, but as far as I can tell, he then did nothing to see about going back and rescuing Missy.

[goat granny]

The owner abandon the dog and there for gave up all rights to the animal....

[texgal]

The article said the owner and his brother were with the dog. Why didn’t one of them stay with the dog to provide food, water and shelter for her while the other went for help? Eight days without food or water is animal cruelty! The folks who found her cared enough to go back and save her, they should be able to keep her.

[Shadowstrike]

Bull, he took her up there, and he LEFT her there. It’s an easy choice to make the dog depended on him to take care of her.

And God won’t forget about it either.

[wardaddy]

Hiker who abandonef the dog is fullacrap

13k high aint jack

What a puss.... bet he listens to Muse

[verga]

It may seem crazy to people who don’t have pets, but I 100% guarantee that if I have to choose between the dog and life, I choose the dog.

For those of us with out children (And some with) they become out surrogate children.

[Krankor]

You are so right, a dog is not a goat, they don’t have hooves

There was a guy on my block who had a dog with hooves. You'd always know when he was coming cause you'd hear the "clop" "clop" "clop". I never really got close enough to actually see, but I could swear he either had a couple of small bumps on his head or else two little tiny horns. Come to think of it, the fur right under his chin seemed a bit long, too. And I'm pretty sure I spotted a can in his mouth once.

[Cuttnhorse]

No rip from me...I would have found a way to stay with her and survive the storm together. The “owner” doesn’t deserve such a beautiful dog.