After a Series of Backcountry Dog Rescues, Colorado SAR Teams Alert Hikers

Search and rescue crews around the country have had their hands full this summer, and humans aren’t the only ones requiring aid.

According to The Vail Daily, volunteer rescuers across Colorado responded to at least four missions during June to save dogs. The circumstances varied, from hikers bringing their furry friends on multi-day backpacking trips to taking them up 14,000-foot peaks, but in every case, sheer exhaustion was the primary cause.

Search and rescue organizations have varying policies regarding rescuing canines. There are examples of rescuers going above and beyond to save dogs in danger, but other outfits explicitly state that they will not accept rescue calls involving dogs. Some organizations, like Park County Search and Rescue (PCSAR), will respond to calls to rescue dogs in the wilderness if their location is known, but will not search for missing animals.

“As the weather warms up, we’re seeing more hikers and their four-legged fur children on the trails—and we love it! But please remember: Search and Rescue teams are here to help people in emergencies, not to carry out tired, dehydrated, or injured dogs,” PCSAR wrote on its Facebook page. “Especially when these types of pup emergencies can be prevented.”

According to The Vail Daily, SAR teams will not deploy a helicopter for a dog rescue in the backcountry.

The most recent incident occurred on June 24, when a pair of hikers three days into a backpacking trip in the Lost Creek Wilderness called PCSAR to report that their dog was lying down and refusing to hike further. Five rescuers hiked into the wilderness, loaded the dog into a litter, and hauled it out. The mission took ten hours to complete.

Daniel Knudsen, PCSAR’s field director, told The Vail Daily that every time the rescuers tried to see if the dog could walk on her own, “you could immediately see her legs quivering, the muscles exhausted.” He added that the animal’s “paws were very likely going to blister, and need some time to heal.”

Another dog rescue mission occurred on June 21, after a husband and wife called PCSAR for help with their dog, who had become exhausted during a backpacking trip. The husband attempted to carry the 80-pound dog back to the trailhead. Rescuers needed to help the dog and husband.

On the same day, Lake County Search and Rescue aided a dog descending 14,433-foot Mount Elbert, Colorado’s highest peak.

Tips to Remember When Hiking With a Dog

The incidents are a sobering reminder to keep your furry friend’s capabilities in mind before heading out on the trail. Dogs don’t sweat like humans, instead they rely on panting to cool themselves down, which is far less efficient at high altitudes and under a hot sun. Remember the endurance paradox: your dog may be a sprinter at the park, but human beings are built for long-distances. Over a full day of hiking, even a moderately-fit human will out-perform the most athletic dog, which can make it easy to not realize the strain you’re putting your pet under. Watch for excessive panting, lagging behind, or stumbling.

A dog’s paws, while tough, aren’t nearly as burly as your hiking shoes, and they’re no match for miles of sharp scree or hot granite.

Keeping your dog safe and happy on an outdoor adventure is about more than just bringing extra water and snacks, too. Invest in a doggie first aid kit, dog booties or other paw protection, a collapsible water bowl, and a harness. Even if your dog is capable of walking off-leash around town, in the wilderness it’s a different story. Keeping them leashed up with a comfortable harness may prevent a sudden chase after wildlife, which could in turn lead to a fall, a frantic search, or a wild animal attack.

That said, even the most prepared adventurers—two-legged and four-legged—may need a rescue one day, and experts say that once things go south, it’s best to call emergency services as quickly as possible. In the same piece published by The Vail Daily, Anna DeBattiste of the Colorado Search and Rescue Association indicated that even if you aren’t sure whether the search and rescue outfit in your area will respond to a canine incident, it’s always best to call and see.

“If you cannot get your dog out of the backcountry on your own, call 911 and ask the question,” DeBattiste told The Vail Daily. “We love dogs, too, and we know that if we don’t rescue the dog, we may end up having to rescue the exhausted or injured owner later.”