‘Exhausted’ hiker in need of rescue turns out to be 130-pound dog

BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. (Gray News) - Rescuers in New Mexico carried a large dog down a mountain because he was “too exhausted” to finish a hike.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office said when a dog named Atlas became too tired to finish a difficult hike, the agency’s Open Space deputies set out to save him.

The deputies took turns carrying the roughly 120- to 130-pound dog on their backs during the trail’s rougher sections. Photos show the deputies placing Atlas over their shoulders in a firemen’s carry position.

Atlas was later placed in a basket for the rest of the trip.

“Atlas made it down safely and, according to Sgt. Starr, earned the title of ‘the goodest boy we have ever rescued,’” the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office said.

According to the sheriff’s office, it took the team five hours to hike the four miles back to safety.

“Great work by everyone who helped get this very big boy home safely,” the sheriff’s office said.

The sheriff’s office reminded pet owners to always bring plenty of water for the pets when hiking and to be on the lookout for signs of exhaustion.

“Remember that the trip back can be just as challenging as the climb up,” the agency said.