Dog owners planning on taking pets on hikes this summer given urgent warning

Dog owners have been issued a stark warning after a German shepherd severely injured all four of its paws during a summer walk. The Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was summoned to Blackmoor Pols, Gillercomb, when the dog became too hurt to return to level ground.

Despite being accustomed to long walks, the rocky terrain proved too harsh for the dog's paws, resulting in injuries to all four.

A statement on Facebook read: "Please forgive the shocking photo of this dog's paw, it is to raise an important point that may be obvious to some but judging by how many of these incidents we get, not to the many who take their unconditioned dogs into the hills. In this case, all four paws had damaged pads."

"The team was called to assist a party with a large four-year-old German Shepherd that could not walk as its hindquarters were weak and it had sore paws. The party had done a long walk over high rocky ground and were descending into Gillercomb when the dog refused to go any further. This dog gets regular exercise but walking on grassy fields is no preparation for rough and rocky fells."

"A difficult descent down Gillercomb and Sour Milk Gill was made with the dog on a stretcher back to Seathwaite.", reports the Mirror.

Devastated by their pet's injuries, the owners agreed to share their story to educate others about the potential hazards.

The statement continues: "The dog's owners were extremely upset and concerned about their beloved dog, they have learned a valuable lesson and were happy for us to use photos to educate anyone considering taking their dogs into the fells. Dogs don't have fancy walking boots, how far could you walk barefoot in the mountains? ".

One grateful user praised Keswick Mountain Rescue Team, saying: "Well done KMRT - a good lesson for dog owners, hopefully, people will learn from it. He looks so pleased to have been rescued."

Another chimed in: "He looked very happy being carried down and I don't blame him I would do the same if my feet looked like that. Well done team and hope you all got a cuddle at the end. It is something not everyone would think of and thanks to the owners for letting you share to raise awareness."

A third person remarked: "Hot pavements can also cause soreness. Some rescue dogs have their own boots when searching for people in wrecked buildings."

And yet another added: "Well done all. Also be very careful with newly laid limestone forest paths. My dog was used to very long rough terrain walks but an hour on a stretch of that stuff on one path in Kielder Forest shredded his front pads. I felt terrible and had to buy protective boots for him."