Medics carry injured woman, canine off Dog Mountain

She had a hurt ankle; he had injured paws.

Both got a lift back to the trailhead Monday after getting into trouble while hiking on Dog Mountain in the Columbia River Gorge.

Skamania County Emergency Medical Services responded to the Dog Mountain trail at about 1:10 p.m. to help a woman with an injured ankle. While they carried her back down the trail, they found a furry friend in need with severe abrasions on his paws, the agency reported.

“Medics bandaged the animal and carried the 90-pound dog down the remainder of the trail,” Skamania County EMS said in a news release.

Skamania County Fire District 1, Wind River Search and Rescue, Silver Star Search and Rescue and the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the dual rescues. The human and canine made it safely to the trailhead, where the injured woman refused transportation to a hospital, Skamania County EMS said.

The agency said it isn’t called onto trails just for animal rescues, but they have helped plenty of dehydrated and hurt animals while attending to people. It reminded the public that preparation is key to avoid a similar fate.

“Research the area you intend to hike, pack enough food and water for you and your pup, wear appropriate attire and be realistic when choosing a hiking trail,” the news release said.