LEFT ALONE AT 14,000 FEET DOG GETS RESCUED NOW THE OWNER WANTS HIM BACK

1 member favorited this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by ducky on August 23, 2012 at 9:24pm

NO MANDY I DON'T. I HOPE IT FINDS SOMEONE WHO TREATS IT BETTER THEN THIS BOZO DID

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Wanda P on September 18, 2012 at 9:38pm

Custody Battle Over Abandoned Dog Resolved After Owner Backs Down Because Of Plea Deal
14 85
Posted on Sep 18, 2012 @ 02:00AM print it send it

Scott Washburn
By Debbie Emery - Radar Reporter

A man has turned his back and walked away from his injured dog once again after giving up a bitter custody battle with one of her rescuers.

As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Anthony Ortolani sparked fury and anger from animal lovers when he abandoned his German shepherd mix Missy on the side of a mountain, where she was found sick and shivering eight days later by a hiker.

PHOTOS: Puppy Love: Stars and Their Dogs

Scott Washburn and his wife, Amanda, discovered Missy dying and alone on Mount Bierstadt near Denver, Colorado, last month while out hiking the peak, which is categorized as a "14er" meaning it tops 14,000 feet and is not considered safe for dogs.

"We knew we weren’t going to be able to get her out by herself. Her paws were completely raw and her elbows were torn up," said the knight in shining armor, who gathered a rescue team and went back up on a nine-hour mercy mission the next morning.

PHOTOS: Favorite TV Dogs

After leaving her freezing to death, the dog's neglectful owner tried to get her back when the story hit the headlines, but instead got slapped with animal abuse charges from the Clear Creek County authorities and death threats from people who were astounded at his callousness.

Ortolani had originally claimed that he had no choice but to head down the mountain without Missy on August 5 because he was worried about his own safety when the weather took a nasty turn and he couldn't carry the 112-pound dog over the rocky terrain.

PHOTOS: Pups Show Their Surfing Stuff During Casting Call

Now the 29-year-old's lawyer said a plea bargain will allow him to plead guilty to the less serious violation of a county ordinance as long as he doesn't try and get the shepherd-Rottweiler mix back, reported KMGH.com.

“I just don’t think that his actions have shown that he is a responsible dog owner," said Washburn, who is now Missy's permanent caregiver. “We understand that he had to leave her there. My wife and I did the same thing. But we ended up going back for her and we went to some pretty extreme lengths to do so.”

RELATED STORIES:

Soldier Gets A Very Warm Welcome From Pining St. Bernard

World's Fattest Dachshund Takes On The Biggest Loser Challenge, Doxie Edition!

Canine X Games! Talented Bulldog Shows Off His Amazing Board Skills

It's Never Too Late For A little Love! Dying Street Dog's Heart-Warming Rescue Immortalized On Video