A German Shepherd had to be rescued after it could not walk any further while out in the Lake District.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team were called out after the four-year-old dog, with a group of people, could not walk as its hindquarters were weak and it had sore paws.
The party had done a long walk over high rocky ground and were descending into Gillercomb when the dog refused to go any further.
It had damaged pads on all four of its feet.
The rescue team said: “This dog gets regular exercise but walking on grassy fields is no preparation for rough and rocky fells.
“This dog’s owners were extremely upset and concerned about their beloved dog, they have learned a valuable lesson and were happy for us to use photos to educate anyone considering taking their dogs into the fells.
“Dogs don’t have fancy walking boots, how far could you walk barefoot in the mountains?
“A difficult descent down Gillercomb and Sour Milk Gill was made with the dog on a stretcher back to Seathwaite.”
While the rescue was ongoing the team received another callout to an incident on Eagle Crag – But Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team responded.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team said: “With team numbers short on this day, it could have seriously compromised a second rescue. Whilst the team does go out to rescue animals the priority will always be to human casualties.”
