Rescuers placed the dog in a casualty bag. Photo: Keswick MRT
Rescuers were called out to a dog in distress on the Lake District fells.
The injured and exhausted animal refused to move for its owners while returning to Langdale from Scafell Pike.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team members made the ascent of Grains Gill to reach the dog after being alerted about 6.25pm on Saturday.
A team spokesperson said: “Cumbria police originally allocated the job to the Wasdale team due to the Scafell Pike reference, and reallocated to Langdale Ambleside MRT after PhoneFind identified the casualty (dog) location on the Langdale side of Esk Hause.
“Having already had a very busy day with multiple callouts the Langdale Ambleside team passed it to Keswick as it was on the edge of our patch.”
Keswick MRT volunteers approached the site from Seathwaite Farm, ascending towards Esk Hause up Grains Gill.
The spokesperson said: “Meanwhile the casualty owners, who were starting to feel the cold, were encouraged to try to descend towards the Keswick team.
“The Keswick team met the casualty and owners high up Grains Gill. The casualty was made comfortable in a ‘cas bag’ on the stretcher and sledged and carried back to Seathwaite Farm.
“Despite being quite a large dog at 33kg it was a joy to carry such a relatively lightweight casualty. The casualty remained cool, calm and positively regal throughout. The casualty and owners were given a lift to Keswick team base where other members of their party collected them.”
The incident lasted just over 4¼ hours and involved 13 Keswick MRT members.
Ian512
18 May 2023While planning for a day on the hill it might be wise to ask, how will I deal with a tired or injured pet.
Remembering that some, if not all, of the voluntary Rescue Team members may be losing income while out on the hill.
a post on grough from Jimmy C last year:
"I remember a friend telling me [over 40 years ago] how he walked about 12 miles with his fairly large injured dog on top of his rucksack and over his shoulders."
Ian S
19 May 2023That's a credit to him. Self rescue. Everyone seems to take the easy way out these days. A mate of mine fell off an ice climb on Dollywaggon Pike many years ago and broke both ankles (not a serious break) and, rather than call the rescue team, he semi-crawled and hobbled with assistance from his climbing partner back to Patterdale. That and my generation are a thing of the past. Mind you, we used a map and compass too, and didn't rely on technology for navigation, or relying on a telly programme for info.
Jaded Mountain Rescuer
31 May 2023It is frankly ridiculous that one would take a dog/child in to a remote area, and not be prepared, if necessary, to carry them out again. I've had just about enough of call-outs to numpties and muppets who won't/can't be bothered to help themselves. The whole ethos of volunteer MR in this country is at risk of this continues. What's the solution? I don't know. Charge people for rescuing if they aren't a genuine emergency? Only agree to go to call-outs where there is a credible risk to life or limb? This week we've seen the Met Police say they won't attend routine mental health incidents in future. It's about time the people of this once great nation rediscovered some resilience and personal responsibility.