Anthony Ortolani faces petition against getting back dog he left on a mountain
Accusations of animal cruelty tend to inflame passions -- and that's certainly true in the case of Anthony Ortolani and his German Shepherd, Missy.
Big photos below.
Ortolani reportedly left an injured Missy on a mountain but now wants the dog back -- a prospect that's inspired Facebook criticism and a petition trying to block this effort.
According to a story Ortolani posted on 14ers.com as synopsized by 9News, he was hiking with Missy on Mount Bierstadt in late July when her paws became too sore to continue walking. He tried to carry the dog the rest of the way down the mountain, he maintains, but because they were at approximately the 13,000 foot mark and a storm was approaching, he eventually had no choice but to leave her behind.
He subsequently contacted a search-and-rescue group and the local sheriff's department, he claims, but was told such an effort on behalf of a dog wasn't feasible. As a result, Missy had been on the mountain for more than a week when she was finally spotted by hikers. After the latter posted a photo of Missy, members of a rescue group banded together and were able to find and save the dog, who's said to be recovering from dehydration, as well as cuts on all four of her legs.
A photo of Ortolani cuddling with Missy.
Despite Ortolani's version, the Clear Creek Sheriff's Office has announced that he'll face animal cruelty charges. And his desire to get Missy back has resulted in a fiery online backlash.
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