Rescuer Adopts Dog Abandoned on Mountain  Giving one of her
rescuers custody  Mount Bierstadt.  Mount Bierstadt.     Photo:
Gregor_y/Flickr  A hiker who was widely censured for abandoning
his dog on Mount Bierstadt in Colorado after storms blew in has
agreed to relinquish custody to one of her rescuers as part of a
plea deal. In August, Anthony Ortolani went hiking with a friend
and his dog Missy, a German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix, and was
forced to turn back after bad weather blew in. The dog's paws
were bleeding and she was unable to continue hiking. Ortolani
attempted to carry out the 112-pound dog, but eventually left
her on a saddle as he made his own way down. While he called the
local sheriff’s office to arrange a rescue, he was told any
mission would be too dangerous. He decided to take no further
action. After eight days on the mountain, two hikers found Missy
and organized a rescue party. Until now, Ortolani had resisted
giving up the dog, but has agreed to transfer custody as part of
his plea deal i