Dogged determination! Doberman is too TIRED to walk down England’s highest peak
- Dexter the doberman refused to walk back down Scafell Pike triggering rescue
By Kevin Donald[1] and Oliver Price[2]
Published: 00:12, 6 January 2024 | Updated: 01:36, 6 January 2024
Mountain rescuers showed ‘dogged determination’ after they were called out after a 40kg doberman was too tired to walk down England’s highest peak and staged a sit-down protest.
Dexter, a doberman/Belgian malinois cross, had been walking up Scafell Pike in the Lake District with his owners when, close to the summit, he suddenly decided he’d climbed far enough.
The hulking hound sat down and refused all attempts to coax him into carrying on with the walk.
As darkness started to descend and Dexter showed no sign of relenting, the walkers had no option but to call in mountain rescuers, who trekked up the 3208ft peak at 11.30pm on Tuesday.
As the rescuers approached they were able to find the stricken climbers because Dexter began to bark and howl when he heard their approach.
Mountain rescuers showed ‘dogged determination’ after they were called out after a 40kg doberman was too tired to walk down England’s highest peak and staged a sit-down protest.
Dexter, a doberman/Belgian malinois cross, had been walking up Scafell Pike in the Lake District with his owners when, close to the summit, he suddenly decided he’d climbed far enough
But no amount of coaxing, pushing and pulling could persuade him to leave his perch so a plan was made for Dexter, his owners and eight members of the rescue team to camp out on the mountain and hope for better luck at daybreak.
His owners were well equipped for spending a night outdoors but rescuers also erected bivvy shelters to protect from the wind and cold.
Thankfully, the following morning, Dexter got over his stubbornness and was led down the hill on a 50M rope.
Recounting the rescue, the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team said on Facebook: ‘Search teams were sent via the normal routes in Wasdale and Eskdale. The team sent to Sty Head were clearly “barking” up the wrong tree and found nothing.
‘Other teams were ‘poodling’ around for some time with nothing heard or seen.
‘However, the search team in Hollow Stones heard a woof and a howl in response to their whistles, and so we finally had a “Scooby Doo”. The hunt was on.
‘A light was seen high on the flanks of Scafell, but due to the mist it was very difficult to tell exactly where. “Dogged” determination kept the teams searching in Lord’s Rake, up Black Crag and in Red Gill.
‘Finally a clear line of sight could be made and fortunately the group was thankfully found to be ‘dogfast’ rather than cragfast, on steep ground but manageable with care.
‘Dexter, the 40kg Doberman/Belgian Malinois cross had decided not to move any further on nightfall, despite much encouragement.
‘The walkers were uninjured, cold, and had not wanted to leave their dog on the fell.
‘They were equipped well enough to spend an unplanned night on the fell, and we found that Dexter was trained to bark and howl, thus initially attracting our attention.’
Mountain rescue were called to rescue Dexter the doberman from Scafell Pike
Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team searching for Dexter and his owner
A spokesman for Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team said: ‘Due to the weather conditions, and potential for hypothermia, a full callout was made and additional support from Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team and Lake District Search Dogs.
‘After searches of several areas, the team assigned to Hollow Stones heard barking and howling and spotted a light high on Scafell.
‘The walkers were uninjured, cold, and had not wanted to leave their dog on the fell.
‘They were equipped well enough to spend an unplanned night on the fell, and we found that Dexter was trained to bark and howl, thus initially attracting our attention.
‘Other rescuers harnessed the energy to make the hard pull up to their location but no amount of encouragement could make Dexter move downhill.
‘The agreed course of action was to wait for daylight and hope that he regained his confidence to move downhill with better visibility.
As such, bivvy shelters were deployed for all, and a long “paws” ensued.
‘After a “woof” night, as dawn broke, further attempts were made but Dexter stood fast. As hope was fading a last ditch attempt was made with a 50m rope lead and he was gently encouraged downhill.
‘Thankfully once he started moving there were no further problems and a brisk, boisterous and friendly walk with Dexter was then made back to Brackenclose.’
The exhausted mountain rescue team with Dexter after they rescued him from Scafell Pike
The mountain rescuers had the climb the peak to rescue the stubborn dog
Dexter’s owners were well equipped for spending a night outdoors but rescuers also erected bivvy shelters to protect from the wind and cold
The mother of Dexter’s owner, Sara Kelly, thanked the rescuers. She said: ‘No witty puns from me just a MASSIVE Thank you to the whole team for their amazing work that night and for every rescue.
‘This was my son and dog they have climbed all of the local mountains as far as Ben Nevis together without any issues.
Something just spooked him this time.
‘We knew something was wrong when they didn’t check in as planned.
‘We called the police and the team were there in no time.
‘We cannot thank you all enough.
A special thank you to Merseyside Police Cumbria Police and of course Wasdale Mountain Rescue.
This could have ended so differently without your help.
‘As an aside one of Dexter’s litter is a search and rescue dog.’
References
- ^ Kevin Donald (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Oliver Price (www.dailymail.co.uk)