Dog rescued from atop mountain

DENVER, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Animal authorities in Colorado said they are deciding whether to return a dog left on top of a mountain to the owner who left her there.

The German shepherd, Missy, was rescued by volunteers about 13,000 feet up on Mount Bierstadt Aug. 6 after she was seen wandering on the mountain by witnesses who notified their fellow hikers on 14ers.com, The Denver Post reported Wednesday.

Anthony Ortalani, the dog's owner, said he was forced to leave her behind on the mountain because she was unable to walk due to blisters and he was responsible for getting a young hiker off the mountain before the arrival of an oncoming storm. He said officials told him it was too risky to send a crew for the dog and he was forced to leave town for his job.

The rescuers said they are working with animal control to determine whether to return the dog, which did not have any permanent injuries, to Ortalani.