Mountain rescuers were called to the summit of Ben Nevis to assist a dog that had ingested cannabis, rendering her unable to walk. A team of 14 rescuers carried the black Labrador, named Tokyo, off the 4,413-foot mountain after her owner, Christina Bluhme, noticed a rapid decline in her health.
Bluhme, from Esher, Surrey, stated that Tokyo lost the use of her legs and was drifting in and out of consciousness during the ordeal. She feared she might lose her pet, attributing the successful rescue to the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team. "Without the incredible Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team there is simply no way I could have got her safely off the mountain," Bluhme said. "Carrying a 60lb labrador down Ben Nevis was impossible on my own."
After being assessed by Crown Vets in Fort William, it was determined that Tokyo had likely ingested cannabis. The dog was unconscious for much of the journey off the mountain and her subsequent time at the veterinary hospital but made a full recovery by the following day. Bluhme urged other dog owners to be vigilant about discarded drugs and other toxic substances on trails.
Astie Cameron, deputy team leader of Lochaber MRT, confirmed that it was suspected Tokyo had ingested something that made her critically unwell. Cameron expressed gratitude to Crown Vets and Tokyo's owner for providing an update. This incident marks one of the team's more unusual callouts this year, contributing to what is expected to be a record number of callouts for the team.
In a separate incident in 2022, the Lochaber MRT assisted in the rescue of a 70lb Turkish Akbash named Maggie, who had sore paws and refused to continue her descent down Ben Nevis. A stretcher party, equipped with chicken stick treats, was dispatched for that rescue.