Blackmoor Polls, Gillercomb (70)

Callout Date: 23/06/2024
Callout Time: 12:05 pm
Agencies Involved: Keswick MRT

Please forgive the shocking photo of this dog’s paw, it is to raise an important point that may be obvious to some but judging by how many of these incidents we get, not to the many who take their unconditioned dogs into the hills. In this case all four paws had damaged pads.

The team were called to assist a party with a large four year old German Shepherd that 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. This dog gets regular exercise but walking on grassy fields is no preparation for rough and rocky fells. A difficult descent down Gillercomb and Sour Milk Gill was made with the dog on a stretcher back to Seathwaite.

Please keep in mind when commenting, 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?

Whilst this rescue was ongoing the team received another callout to an incident on Eagle Crag (fortunately for us it turned out to be Patterdale team’s job). 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.

8 team members – 4 hours 55 minutes