Bierstadt is a very popular 14er to climb in the summer season. It’s basically a strenuous hike. That’s why these people were able to assemble volunteers so quickly.
Ortolani posted on 14ers.com that he called search and rescue and was told they would not go up to rescue the dog. Does this mean he posted that his dog was missing to some internet bb? I don't understand why there was no offer of search help at that time if so. I don't also understand how the search was eventually organized, I guess.
I've been up Bierstadt and agree - just a hike mostly on good trail.
If the idiot owner had just taken her up Bierstadt and back, the dog would have probaby have been fine. But the moron decided to also attempt to take the dog across the class-3 hike The Sawtooth over to Mt. Evans. Class 3 means you need handholds much of the time. Dogs don't have hands for free climbing. The dog probably had a horrible time on such a scramble.
IMO the guy is too dumb to own an animal. He should have reversed course as soon as he saw the dog starting to have problems with the class 3 terrain.
And that raises another question - why would you also be taking a younger person on a class 3 hike at that altitude and that kind of terrain?