Rescuers in New Hampshire are cautioning hikers to be prepared when hiking with dogs after several rescue incidents involving canines so far this summer.
Officials with New Hampshire Paw Rescue, a group of volunteers who help with dog rescue incidents in New Hampshire, reported they were involved in five incidents involving struggling or injured dogs with hikers in June and July.
On July 11, an Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) staff member hiking down the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail on Mount Washington came upon two hikers with a 45-pound dog that had stopped moving due to paw damage.
The staff member reached out to a New Hampshire Paw Rescue team member who was coming off a human search-and-rescue incident nearby.
While the group slowly descended with the owner carrying the dog in his arms, the team member gathered dog rescue supplies kept at the AMC Highland Center and hiked to the group, then about one mile up the trail. The dog was placed in a rescue harness and carried the rest of the way out by the owner.
In another incident on July 27, New Hampshire Paw Rescue was notified by AMC staff that a hiking party with an injured dog was carrying out their dog from Greenleaf Hut with dog rescue supplies kept at the hut.
New Hampshire Paw Rescue dispatchers kept in touch with the party in case assistance was needed, but the party was able to complete the carryout on their own.
In June, New Hampshire Paw Rescue was involved in three incidents. On June 12, a passing hiker called 911 about a roughly 80-pound dog that was not moving due to paw damage and exhaustion. The dog was roughly two miles up the Boott Spur Trail on Mount Washington.
Team members met at the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center to provide assistance. As Paw Rescue team members started the hike, they encountered the dog and owners, who made it down on their own. Team members provided assistance with paw first aid and helped transport the dog to the owner’s vehicle.
After a vet visit, the dog was reportedly non-weight bearing for two days, but made a full recovery.
On June 25, a group of two trail runners with two dogs reported that one of the dogs was experiencing trouble between Mount Guyot and Zealand Mountain.
The owner had the roughly 60-pound dog in a rescue sling, but was concerned about not being able to complete the carryout.
Paw Rescue team members started the hike in, while the group made steady progress with the carryout.
The two groups met just under two miles from the Zealand Trailhead. At that point, the dog recovered just enough to complete the hike out on its own. In a followup, it was learned that the dog was suffering from rhabdomyolysis, a serious medical condition. Fortunately, the dog was reportedly expected to make a full recovery.
On June 28, passing hikers reported a roughly 75-pound dog with paw damage and exhaustion was on the North Twin Trail just under two miles from the trailhead.
Team members prepared to drive to the trailhead and hike in to carry out the dog. As the first team members were about to leave, state police called back to say that the dog and owner were able to make their way out.
In the wake of these incidents, New Hampshire Paw Rescue officials said hikers should remember to use caution and be prepared when hiking with dogs.
They said that when planning a hike with a dog, hikers should choose an appropriate route and be conservative, especially if their dog isn’t used to hiking in rugged mountains. Hikers should stay on easy or moderate terrain until both the hiker and dog have more experience.
Officials said hikers should use extra caution in rocky terrain like the White Mountains, particularly in the Presidential Range and Franconia Ridge areas. These areas have rough terrain and sharp rocks that can easily damage dog paws. They said hikers should strongly consider leaving their dog at home when hiking these areas unless they are confident with their ability to treat and evacuate an injured dog.
Hikers should carefully check their dog’s paw pads frequently and address any paw pad damage before it gets worse. Officials said dogs don’t often show early signs of paw distress and may only exhibit symptoms when it is severe.
Hikers should bring dog first-aid supplies including bandaging, vet wrap, and paw booties. They said most dogs will not like wearing booties, but they can enable a dog to walk out with minor paw pad damage.
Hikers should also bring a dog rescue harness or soft litter to evacuate their dog if needed. Hikers should also practice with that equipment so they know how to use it and know they can physically handle evacuating your dog in rough terrain.
