UPDATE: Anthony Ortolani, who left his dog on Mount Bierstadt will face animal-cruelty charges. He is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 16, according to a Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office media release.
The charge was filed after the Sheriff’s Office completed an investigation into the injured dog found this month on Mount Bierstadt in Colorado.
Denver, Colorado – A man who left his dog on a mountain to die wants her back, now that she’s been rescued by a group of strangers.
Anthony Ortolani, 29, took a friend on a hike up Colorado’s Mt. Bierstadt on August 5. His German shepherd, Missy, accompanied them. By the time they had reached the top of a 13,000 foot ridge, Missy’s paws were so torn up that she could no longer walk. Ortolani and the friend tried to get her out using a harness and ropes, but Missy was banging against the rocks and getting further injured. Ortolani says he tried to carry her out, but she was just too heavy (about 100 pounds). A storm was brewing, putting all three in danger of exposure. Ortolani decided he had to leave Missy there.
He says when he reached the bottom, he called 911 but was told that a search and rescue mission could not be instituted for a dog. In a letter posted by Ortolani, he says that ”while trying to get off of the mountain I was not as concerned because I was focused on making it safely off of the mountain, but once I was safely at my car I was overwhelmed with the loss, and the decision to leave her there. The next couple of days was absolutely horrible wondering about her, if she was alive, or if she died. Thinking about her suffering was awful beyond words. Many confidants comforted me by saying that she was probably gone from injury.” Thus convinced that Missy had died, he gave up his efforts to find help for her.
But Missy hadn’t died. On August 11, Scott Washburn and his wife Amanda were hiking the same spot when they came upon Missy. They were absolutely astounded to find a dog in such a remote location, and at such a high altitude. The rocks Missy was laying on were bloody from her wounded paws, and she had no food or water. They did not know how long she had been there, but they knew she wouldn’t make it much longer if she stayed. They bandaged her paws, using their first aid kit, and gave her water. They tried to coax her off the mountain, but her feet and legs were too sore for her to walk. They tried to carry her down, but she was too heavy for them too. They regretfully decided they had to leave her there. Amanda Washburn cried at the prospect. They took pictures of the dog and headed back down the mountain.
While both Ortolani and the Washburns had to make the agonizing decision to leave the dog, their actions when they reached the bottom of the mountain could not be more different. The Washburns too contacted a ranger to ask for help, and were told that the rangers couldn’t go after a dog. But the Washburns did not leave it at that. They posted pictures of the dog on Facebook. They are also members of an online hikers group called “The 14ers” – for the 14,000-foot mountains they like to scale. Scott Washburn posted this message: “My wife and I were doing Bierstadt/Evans today via Sawtooth. We found a female german shepherd that was injured and appears to have been there for several days. We gave her food and water but were unable to get her out. Her paws are pretty damaged and she refused to walk (unfortunately she is too big to carry and wasn’t cooperative). If you are missing her we’ve attached a photo showing her location. If you need assistance in locating her you can contact me at.” They also posted pictures of Missy and of the mountain range with a notation of where she was found.
Hikers on the site were anxious to help, and didn’t want to leave her there even one more night. A rescue mission was immediately planned, and at 11:30 that night four hikers headed up to where Missy had been left. They searched the area thoroughly, hoping her eyes would reflect in their flashlights and headlamps, but were unable to find her. Regretfully, they headed for home.
The next morning, an even larger group, headed by Scott Washburn, went back up the mountain for the abandoned dog. This time, they found her, and by taking turns carrying her in an oversized hiker’s backpack, were able to get her down the mountain. She was immediately taken to a veterinarian, who determined that she was severely dehydrated. Other than the tears to her feet and legs, however, she was uninjured.
The search and rescue was followed closely by the hiking community – including Anthony Ortolani. After the dog had been rescued, he posted a note identifying himself and asking where he could find his dog: “Hi all, I am the owner of the German Shepard girl found on Mt. Bierstadt. I need to know the name of the vet clinic that Missy is at so I can go see her and re-reimburse them for helping her, and if I am fortunate enough, to bring her home.”
Not surprisingly, this posting was met with disapproval. In the days that followed, the Washburns asserted their right to keep the dog, since she had been abandoned. The hikers and the general public gave their full support. Many felt that not only did Ortolani give up his rights to Missy by abandoning her to die, but that he should face charges for his actions.
After an investigation by the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s department, that’s exactly what happened. On August 17, Ortolani was charged with animal cruelty. He is scheduled to appear in court on October 16.
Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Sgt. Rick Safe said, “The dog was basically abandoned up there. He made no initial attempt. After three days, he thought the dog was deceased so he made no attempts to reclaim the dog.”
He also clarified the county’s position on the rescue of animals in the mountains.
“We can’t specifically send a rescue effort for a dog,” Safe said. “We have a designated rescue team. In the last two weeks we have had six rescues, one a day on the weekends, for people. It is tough terrain out there.”
Missy is still being cared for at the veterinary hospital, but custody for the time being will remain with the county until a determination can be made as to her ownership.
He didn’t do enough to bring her down alive or dead. He essentially gave up on her and would be better suited w/ new owners. Lesson to all – don’t give up on your loved ones humans or pets!
Wonderful story! So happy Missy was saved and happy to know there are still HEROES in this world :0)
He did try to get her down. He was alone. Two hikers couldn’t get her down on their own either. She was resisting their efforts. Thankfully, the 2 hikers organized a team, who went up prepared to bring her down. She was too weak to resist.
Long story short, there’s allot of sadness that she was left up there for 8 days. Maybe she should be with a new owner, but animal cruelty charges are not necessary. Clearly she is lovable and well loved by all.
Let her see the original owner, and let her response to him help all of you do the right thing.
Yes animal cruelty charges are necessary and for you to say this makes me wonder if you’re the previous owner or a friend of his. Sorry but that’s just a stupid thing to say. He abandoned her to DIE. if they can get a team together to save that sweet baby then he could have. He just gave up.
Left her once, he’ll abandon her again. Hope you don’t own any pets!
I’ve owned allot of pets. Currently, I have 2 cats and a large husky/rotweiller cross. I love them, and they love me. This brings me to tell you I’ve had allot of heart breaks when bad things happen to them. Sometimes an adult has to make adult decisions. Maybe this dog would not go off the mountain with the couple that found her because she was waiting for her human to come get her. Like I said, there is allot of sadness in this story, but she should be allowed to go back home. Search and Rescue teams don’t expect to keep children they find lost, so why should they keep this dog?
Don’t agree Laura, he was being cruel by failing to try to rescue her after he was safe. If he had done what the hikers did I’d have some sympathy for him. He was also cruel taking a pet up there in the first place. What choice did the poor dog have?
I would have never taken a dog up there in the first place. Irresponsible of the owner..then I would have never abandoned her NEVER.. all together this is cruelty. I believe Missy will be best suited to have her new home with the Washburns, who NEVER gave up trying to get help for Missy, a dog they did not know, but I am sure have now fallen in love with her.
Strangers had more compassion for his dog than he did. No, he shouldn’t get to see her, he deserted her up there to die, alone, thirsty and hungry. He could have organized a team and gone back, I cannot fathom why he didn’t, instead he choose to assume she was dead. He absolutely should face some kind of punishment for deserting her up there alone and injured. I say walk him barefoot up the same trail and leave him up there alone, without food or water, when he can’t walk any further.
The Washburns have my complete support for keeping Missy. Her first owner left her to die without even returning. How awful for Missy. Thank you to the Washburns and the group that ultimately brought Missy off the mountain and cared for her.
He left her like a used tissue…too bad, so sad…he left her to die. Number one rule of hiking: if you bring something with you, you carry it out with you. This loser couldn’t be bothered, but the pictures show that others who have hearts and compassion figured out a way to care for Missy and bring her down…they are all angels! Missy should spend the rest of her days with the Washburns…
I hope the Washburn’s get to keep Missy! Ortolani is irresponsible, and did not care about his dog. The other sad part of this story is the fact that we have Search and Rescue Dogs that organizations use all the time to save human’s lives but when a dog needs help in this situation the authorities can’t help find it! Insane and an injustice!
What a double standard! We’ll use Search & Rescue dogs to save lives but the “authorities” don’t have the resources to save an injured dog! INJUSTICE!
I can’t understand for the life of me why this man didn’t try to get a team of his friends together by at least the next day to go and retrieve Missy. Even if she had passed away, he could have given her a proper burial. And frankly, why did he even take her on such a long hike? He didn’t think twice about what this terrain would do to her paws. Clearly it was awful for her, and she had no way to show how much pain she was in, at the time or after being left there with no food, water, or medication. he tried to assuage his conscience by trying to believe she had died, with no evidence that this was the case. Other’s who were far more moral and compassionate came to the rescue, and thank heaven they did. This man should not only not get Missy back, but I don’t believe he should ever be allowed to own another dog, ever. My three dogs, (2 rescued from shelters) are far too important to me to ever put them in such a precarious situation. Our pets love us so unconditionally, and are so loyal. We owe them the best of ourselves. And this was far from that.
Didn’t think twice? I don’t think he thought ONCE! This idiot doesn’t seem capable of thought, and I agree he should never be allowed to own another animal again. I also hope every woman out there gets a good look at this guy, sees his lack of regard for other living beings, and steers well clear of him.
What a clown to take a pet dog up a mountain. He should never be allowed near any animal. I’d die before I’d leave my pet anywhere.
No you wouldn’t. You wouldn’t DIE trying to save your pet. At some point, you would give in, be sad, and save your life. Don’t give us your BS.
Makes you wonder, had It been a girlfriend or a child would he have left them behind? He doesn’t deserve to ever have another animal as long as he lives. MISSy wouldn’t have left his sorry ass……
I don’t think he should get her back! but let him see her so that he can see how strong of a dog that he just left for dead, also i would be making him pay for her vet bills, and for any other treatment that she needs (because of his doings) and then he should be there when she gets awarded to her new family. Make him pay the price for what he did. I also hope he gets some jail time or community service hours.
I don’t believe he should have any further physical contact with this beautiful creature. I am a foster home for dogs and it is really hard on them emotionally when they have been surrendered to me by their “loving” families and they don’t eat for days, they whine and cry for the people they love. Not all surrenders are this case but my current one is. Instead of reading a book or even google to help with his issues, they gave him away. For him to see them or smell them again would be tragic for HIM.
As for this person who owned Missy, may he walk that terrain in bare feet, be left with no food or water for days only to depend on the love of someone he trusted with every fiber of his being. I hope Missy finds a new forever home with the Washburns instead of this unthinking yahoo.
You can diss me or whatever,but when you are put in the same place as this man,you would want to do exactly the same thing.He was unable to bring his dog down the mountain,and it is stated that one rescuer alone could not do it either.And saying he could have left food and water,well he was sure that Missy was dead,so he felt he would not need to.I think he should get to see his dog and pay for the vet bills and should not be charged with animal cruelty
I agree with you for these exact reasons. Yes, he made some wrong decisions, but there has thankfully been a happy ending. If he has no history of abuse or neglect prior, he should get his dog back.
A happy ending, with no thanks to her original owner. Had others not intervened the ending would have been tragic. Her irresponsible owner made little effort to do anything rescuing his pet after HE put her in this situation. If strangers could rescue this dog, why did her owner fail to do the same?
He is the poster child for “wrong decisions”. He made MULTIPLE poor decision in this situation. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. His record for putting this dog in a dangerous situation then abandoning her stand for itself. If he gets her back he would most likely put her in another dangerous situation. That’s not fair to the animal. She deserves to be properly cared for and this moron has proven he isn’t capable of properly caring for an animal.
A happy ending, with no thanks to her original owner. Had others not
intervened the ending would have been tragic. Her irresponsible owner
made little effort to do anything to rescue his pet after HE put her in
this situation. If strangers could rescue this dog, why did her owner
fail to do the same?
He is the poster child for “wrong decisions”. He made MULTIPLE poor
decision in this situation. The best predictor of future behavior is
past behavior. His record for putting this dog in a dangerous situation
then abandoning her stands for itself. If he gets her back he would most
likely put her in another dangerous situation. That’s not fair to the
animal. She deserves to be properly cared for and this moron has proven
he isn’t capable of properly caring for an animal.
It’s obvious the guy is a bit of an idiot and made some poor decisions. If his story is indeed the truth, he should get the dog back. Some people really do not believe they have the power to fix these kinds of situations and when you have other idiots telling you “she’s probably long gone by now” to comfort him and get him to stop thinking about it, well… it’s not the best situation, but if he’s always provided good care – and the dog loves him – I would give him his dog back. Two wrongs in this case just break up a happy family. Thank you to the ones that DID save her… maybe it’ll teach this owner a lesson.
He made SEVERAL poor decisions concerning this animal. There is no proof that he has learned anything from nearly losing her. Returning custody of this dog to him is REWARDING him for his irresponsibility! People who act this way feel entitled and don’t learn from their mistakes. As you said, he “is a bit of an idiot”. Idiots aren’t capable of being responsible pet owners. He doesn’t deserve to get this dog back.
He needs to learn what he did was absolutely irresponsible, and by not getting Missy back, maybe he will learn what he did was stupid and reprehensible.
The fact is, that he left her there to die. If he felt he made the wrong decision then he should have moved heaven and earth to get her down by someother means like the other people who rescued her. I pray that they get her. This is so cruel leaving a dog alone to die, Imagine how terrified she was all alone, and the biggest betrayel ever watching her owner walk away. Thank God for all the people who came to her aid and saved her.
Wow, I hope the couple will keep the dog. I am not saying the original owner is bad, but very irresponsable. This poor dog deserved better….
if the orginal owner had truely cared, he would have done what the Washburns did or something to go get his pet. I LOVE my pet (Like FAMiLY), and would not have given up that easily. He should not get her back under any circumstances. I have much harsher words for the owner but I will bite my tongue–Rock On Washburns! may you win this fight
i own two dogs who weigh just as much if not more than me and i would NEVER leave them to die. this guy was a coward who does not deserve this sweet girl!
As soon as he left that dog up there he relinquished his claim on her. Having a big dog myself who often accompanies my partner and I, I can honestly say there is nothing we wouldn’t do to get him to safety in a situation like that!
Ortolani can shows all the pictures he wants but he does not deserve this beaufitul puppy girl, I would have never take her to a mountain and worst abandon her to her luck, he is an evil person because his pet friend trusted her and he never attempted to come back and rescue her, now he has the balls to ask for this dog back, shame on him, Missy belongs now to the Washburns and they risk everything for her, is so easy for the previous owner to say he is going to pay back to these people but it is not about money is about a friend a soul and this is priceless, he left her to die, why he did not pay to find people to rescue her the very same day because I would not have the heart to leave my dog abandoned without food and water, I would have looked for any help anywhere like the Washburns to bring her back, if they want us to support we will sign any petition, letter they needed, this kind of animal cruelty need to stop, Missy will be in danger with this irresponsible guy!
Why the hell did he bring her up there in the first place? This irresponsible asshole should never be allowed to own another pet, not even a goldfish, and should probably be neutered.
Missy’s life shouldn’t be put on hold for months, she should be turned over to the Washburns now, so she can start her new life in her new home now. Her so called owner should never be allowed to have another pet.
it was irresponsible to take her on a hike like that in the first place. But he’s probably learned his lesson, and I’m sure she’d be better off going home rather than sitting in a care centre waiting for adoption. Bravo to the rescuers and rotten tomatoes to an owner who just didn’t try hard enough – the first time. Naming and shaming will be enough, He won’t do it again. I do hope he gets custody of her, but only after a seriously hefty fine.
Mr. Ortolani made more than one single poor decision. 1) He took his pet into the area acknowledged as rough terrain. 2) He didn’t prepare his dog as he probably did himself – with protective footwear. 3) He failed to notice, or perhaps even ignored the dogs initial foot damages and continued the trail he wanted to show off to his friend when he should have turned back for the dogs welfare. 4) He was underprepared to provide basic first aid to his dog – and probably also himself when hiking into “rough terrain” at high altitude. 5) He stated weather was a factor for not making more effort to get his dog back down – but did he not see signs of the weather becoming worse before it was “too dangerous”. 5) He left the dog with no food or water resources for survival until potential rescue. If he didn’t know in advance the authorities wouldn’t help, why would he say he asked when he got down safely. 6) He apparently made no effort to garner help to rescue his dog despite belonging to the same group as the rescuers… didn’t even mention it until after the rescue. I probably missed something in the list.
If he had been inexperienced, or had made more real effort I think most people would by sympathetic to him. But its the accumulation of poor decisions and what I would say is a disregard for his dogs life and safety that makes me say he doesn’t deserve her back. He should have to pay her vet bills though. He should also be sentenced to learn basic first aid for pets, pay for a first aid kit (we know he is likely to get another dog), and provide community service to help other abandoned dogs… under supervision of course. And if he tries to get another dog he should have to disclose this incident – consequences and all.
He shouldn’t have taken her there. He should have certainly not left her there!! He does not deserve her back!!
Thank you to all of those who went above and beyond to save this sweet dog. I kind of feel bad for the owner because I think he is now realizing that he definitely should have done more to help his dog, but now he has consequences to pay for. This sweet dog should be with someone who is more responsible and someone who shows unconditional love, which the owner was lacking.
Thank you to all of those who went above and beyond to save this sweet dog. I kind of feel bad for the owner because I think he is now realizing that he definitely should have done more to help his dog, but now he has consequences to pay for. This sweet dog should be with someone who is more responsible and someone who shows unconditional love, which the owner was lacking.
When Orolani and his friend couldn’t carry her out, why didn’t he stay with her – they all carry gear to cover and keep warm – and send the friend out to get help? If he could not stay, why didn’t he go back at dwn the nest day with enough friends to carry her out? He was far more concerned with his own safety. HIs own words say the same – he didn’t worry bout her until he was out and safe. Give Missy back to him? NO WAY!!! But do charge him with animal cruelty and put him in jail. He deserves no less.
The ones who saved her should keep her. Hope Anthony learned a lesson!
No way should Missy ever be given back to this idiot. So very happy she was rescued and saved and when well, should go to the couple that saved her.
He’s an idiot to take a dog hiking up a mountain!
he left her to die if it waz me i would have tried harder to help her but he didnt so whoever saved her gets her end of story
NO way should they get her back!
they abandoned her to die. Let her stay with her new LOVING family!
He should never get his dog back after this.
There is nothing wrong taking your dog hiking with you, BUT be responsible! Carry a dog first aid kit, get paw protectors, etc.
its all in who you know and how you post for helping you with an … if the owner had the 14ers to help him and posted the sign… he would be in a better position…
Why should this man(the original owner) face charges he went and asked for help ,but wasn’t given any ,he was told basically his dog was not human so therefor not important enough to be saved . The young man was obviously heartbroken didn’t knw what else he could do if anything else ,but was already being told by friends and family that there was no way his dog survived a storm much less the inguries in which he thought were already a possible bad situation and thought his dog may have already died. Then in comes a couple who attempt the same thing ,but are hikers who knw many more hikers who attempted to help and then immediately want to point the finger and say he’s a BAD man,what happens to this couple for doing the same thing this owner did leaving the dog up there as well, why DNT we charge them as well since they and all the other hypocrites since they all seem so ready to point the finger without listening to this mans story.
Jesus knows all of our sins and transgression and he knows that none of us can judge or point our fingers at one another, because we’re all guilty of some kind of sin. Your sin of leaving the dog up there as well ,might not be as big as his
sin for leaving the dog and not doing much more because he was lead to believe his dog was already dead, but the fact is,that it’s sin anyway. It’ doesn’t stop the big time hypercrites from judging about their sins, but we must not forget what Jesus said, if we judge, we will be judged, so we must be aware of indignities for the most part. If you don’t want anyone judging you for your actions, then you leave other peoples actions alone.
This poor dog didn’t suddenly go lame at 13,000 feet. Just doesn’t happen that way. She was in pain, limping, likely whimpering, and obviously struggling to keep up for quite a while before they reached 13,000 feet and abandoned her. Why didn’t they notice, or, perhaps and probably, the did noticed and just didn’t care. At the first sign of a problem, they should have used a shirt, whatever they had to cover her feet and head back down. But, nope, did either of them take off a T-shirt, did they turn around…no, they left her to die after she’d struggled to keep up with the person she loved and trusted. Neither the owner nor his companion on that fateful hike should ever be allowed to own any kind of pet again.
Personally I would’ve had a cold miserable night up on the mountain with the dog. But then again, that’s not somewhere I would drag a dog up to in the first place.
What an asshole!!!! I would never bring my dog up there anyway. Stupid, Stupid man!
He definitely should not have left her like that. But I’m also concerned that the rangers would not rescue a dog!!! What’s with that???
At some point during that hike the dog would’ve begun moving slower as the paws began to get injured. What was the owner doing during that time period? As soon as he checked to see why the dog was slowing down, he would’ve seen the paws were starting to get damage, and that would’ve been the time for them to stop their hike, turn around and head home immediately. What a selfish jerk to keep going until his dog was too injured to move.
IF what he said was true, he shouldn’t be at fault. he didn’t leave her there to get rid of her, he tried to take her with but couldn’t and facing a “life threatening” situation had to leave. he did call 911 to see if they could rescue her. personally I would have stayed, and if I found myself at the foot of the mountain with the opportunity to go back up all 14,000 feet to rescue my dog I would have, but that’s me and I don’t think he can be faulted for not going as far as I would have. I don’t see how he could be charged with animal cruelty or why he should not get his dog back.
NO WAY, Jose! You took her on this too long a trip for a dog, and you ABANDONED her… remember? That was your decision. Missy deserves a better family… and you deserve punishment! Thank you, Washburns and friends!
Sept. 14…What was the outcome / decision? & Is Missy okay? Is there an update for her? I am hoping she is recovered physically and MENTALLY!