Maggie, the dog, was unable to continue walking and a rescue team was called up to Britain’s highest mountain to save her. Maggie, a 35kg Turkish Akbash, stopped walking after becoming exhausted from the heat and experiencing painful paws from the hot ground. She and three other women were descending the 4,413-foot mountain.
They attempted to carry her down the mountain but were forced to abandon her about halfway down.
On Saturday night, Lochaber Mountain Rescue was dispatched to assist.
Donald Paterson, the team’s leader, stated that the dog’s ability to walk was hampered by “heat and soreness”
“It had given up, and the ladies were struggling to help it down,” he told the BBC.
“It had a few cuts to its paws, but I think with the heat and soreness it decided it wasn’t going any further.”
The women were met by mountain rescuers halfway down the mountain.
They transported Maggie to safety on a stretcher.
Mr Paterson continued: “The owners were struggling and would certainly have been up there all night if they didn’t get any assistance.”
He also said that he would not expect his team to go out to rescue an animal but said they insisted.
Lochaber Mountain Rescue had already been dispatched to the mountain four times.
They were dispatched to help one person with a head injury, another with an ankle injury, and two cases involving hot weather.
Their five-hour rescue mission ended around 1 a.m. on Sunday.
In a statement, the rescue team said: “With everyone out enjoying the scorching weather across Lochaber yesterday, the team were out attending to five call-outs.
“The first four shouts ranged from fractures to heat-related illness, with the fifth casualty of the day being a little furrier than usual.
“Maggie, a 35kg Akbash dog, came into difficulty with sore paws high on the Ben path and was unable to move.
“A stretcher party, complete with a casualty carer and chicken stick treats, were dispatched to assist.
“Once Maggie was secured into the stretcher she was able to be transported down the hill for a well-earned rest.
“Big thanks to Rescue 151 who assisted through the day, and to Wolfhouse Gym for the much-needed sandwiches!”