The problem was not going up Bierstadt with the dog. Bierstadt is a moderately strenuous Class 2 hike, and about the easiest 14er to climb other than Evans and Pikes Peak where you can drive up to the top.
The mistake was taking an old, overweight dog on a Class 3 hike - the Sawtooth from Bierstadt over to Mt. Evans. It was compounded by not turning around as soon as it became apparent the dog was having problems.
And he tripled down by not doing everything in his power to get the dog down in subsequent days - complete strangers cared enough about the dog to rescue her - he could have been at the forefront of that. He could have also taken her food, water and a blanket to lie on until a rescue could be put together.
And in the end, your comparison of this idiot to George Zimmerman is a real skunk of a comment. Zimmerman did nothing wrong. This guy did, and still wants it back after leaving it for dead. Saying he should not get his dog back is not demanding he be hanged - just a realization of how unsuitable an owner he was.
You took the words right out of my mouth! THANK YOU!
AlmaKing, can you honestly make this statement as dirtboy has done?
It was compounded by not turning around as soon as it became apparent the dog was having problems.
No brainer for any dog owner under any circumstances.
And he tripled down by not doing everything in his power to get the dog down in subsequent days - complete strangers cared enough about the dog to rescue her
This is the main reason why he is being damned.