Rescue Team Evacuates Dog from Ben Nevis After Cannabis Ingestion

A five-year-old Labrador retriever named Tokyo was rescued from Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, after ingesting a significant amount of cannabis during a hike. The dog, owned by dog trainer Christina Bluhme, became disoriented and lost the ability to walk, collapsing near the summit Source: Clarin.

The Incident

Bluhme, her son, and two dogs had been ascending for over three hours when Tokyo showed signs of exhaustion and began stumbling. The owner initially feared a spinal injury, but a veterinarian later determined the dog was under the influence of cannabis, a neurotoxin Source: Clarin. Bluhme described the experience as "a very bad trip" and "terrifying" Source: Clarin.

Rescue and Recovery

According to one account, Bluhme encountered the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team by chance as they were returning from another rescue, and they placed the 25-kilo dog on a stretcher Source: Clarin. Another report states that Bluhme contacted emergency services and 14 rescuers ascended to help Source: La Vanguardia. The dog was unconscious for much of the descent and during veterinary treatment, but recovered fully the next day. The vet bill totaled £1,000 Source: Clarin.

Warnings

Both Bluhme and the rescue team warned about discarded drugs on trails, noting that such incidents are more common than assumed. Bluhme said, "We have to be aware that abandoned drugs and other toxic substances can be found even in the most beautiful natural settings" Source: La Vanguardia. This was the first cannabis-related rescue on Ben Nevis since 2022 Source: La Vanguardia.