Evacuating an Injured Dog from Remote Terrain

Paws To Peaks
20 kwi
5 minut(y) czytania

When planning any trip - especially one that includes Mrok - we always consider the possibility of sudden illness or injury. A dog may injure a leg and become unable to move on its own. An accident involving a vehicle or a fall could lead to even more serious injuries. In both situations, evacuation and transport to a veterinary hospital may become necessary.

Together, we’ve spent many years training to respond to emergencies involving people - in water, at height, and in disaster settings. But when it comes to animals, procedures often differ. Many first aid principles still apply, but caring for an injured dog requires specific knowledge. That’s why we strongly encourage all dog guardians to attend a dedicated canine first aid course. It builds confidence and gives you tools to act when your dog needs you most.

This article is not about treating specific injuries - that belongs in proper training. Instead, we want to focus on just one element: transporting an injured dog out of terrain that cannot be reached by car.

You’re out in the mountains with your dog. No technical climbing, just a peaceful route far from town. You take a longer path to enjoy the quiet and the views, planning to return to your car later in the afternoon.

After a short lunch break, you continue uphill along a rocky but clear trail. At one point, your dog suddenly takes off up the slope - chasing something small - and leaps onto a rock. But then he slips. He falls toward the path, and his rear leg gets stuck in a narrow crevice. He ends up dangling awkwardly, supported only by the trapped leg. You hear a loud, painful yelp. The dog struggles, pulls his leg free - and collapses onto the trail, whining in pain.

What do you do?

This is a made-up story. But it’s worth thinking it through. Here’s a basic action plan. It’s not first aid training - again, that’s what courses are for - but these are steps you may need to take.

Before you even approach or touch your dog, read at least the first three points:

Ensure your own safety first. Are you near a drop-off? Could you slip trying to help? Is there a snake sunbathing on that nearby rock you didn’t notice at first?
Check if your dog is still in danger. He could also fall or slip again. Secure the scene.
Do not touch the dog immediately. Avoid quick contact, especially with the injured limb.
Approach from the front and muzzle your dog - ideally using a soft medical or evacuation muzzle you’ve trained with before.
Stay calm — your dog feels your stress, so support them with quiet confidence.

Important: Your dog is probably in serious pain. Even a well-trained, gentle dog may bite when suffering - not out of aggression, but instinctively trying to stop what’s hurting him. That’s why the muzzle is essential.

Now it’s time to provide aid - assess the injury, control bleeding, and try to contact a vet or rescue service.

Let’s say the good news is: you’ve stabilized the injured leg, and there's no bleeding. The bad news: there’s no phone reception.

You’re now past the halfway point of your route - it’s faster to continue than to turn back. But here comes a critical question: how much does your dog weigh?

If you’re hiking with a small terrier, evacuation might be simple. But if it’s a 30-kg labrador, things get more complicated.

Let’s use Mrok as an example. He’s a fairly large male Australian Cattle Dog, weighing around 22 kg. That’s about the same as a fully loaded expedition backpack.

How do you safely carry that weight across rough ground?

Our solution: a dedicated canine rescue harness. We chose the BackTrak Dog Evacuation Kit by Ruffwear and began practicing with it.

Take a look at the photos. Mrok is healthy, and he watched the whole process with interest as we prepared to “evacuate” him down a closed winter trail.

The harness is well-designed, with detailed videos from the manufacturer. Here are our observations:

It’s usually easier to put the harness on yourself first, then lift and secure the dog.
If you’re carrying a backpack, don’t leave it behind. Put it on right after the harness and secure it. Then load the dog (wearing a muzzle).
If you're in snow or icy conditions, put on crampons, spikes, or snowshoes before strapping in your dog.
Keep trekking poles easily accessible - don’t bend down for them after loading the dog.
We don’t see any practical use for carrying a dog on your back. While the harness technically allows for it, rough terrain makes a fall much more likely: we instinctively protect the front of our body during a fall but we tend to land on our back.

One more thing: drink water. The hard part may be ahead. Dehydration will make it worse.

Dog: If the hike is long, a regular muzzle may be more comfortable than a tight emergency one - especially if the dog needs to pant to cool down.

Keep your phone or radio - and a power bank - in an easy-access chest pocket. If it’s late in the day, wear a headlamp.

Look about two meters ahead of you. Step carefully. Use the poles for support. Walk with calm determination.

Every 10–15 minutes, stop briefly and try to call for help. Don’t waste too much time if you’re out of range, but keep trying. Take a moment to check your dog’s condition - look for any signs of distress, overheating, or changes in breathing. Once you make contact, give your exact position, describe your plan, and ask for assistance.

Some final thoughts from practicing with this system:

Adjust the harness to fit you before packing it, so you don’t waste time finding the right straps in the cold.
Desensitize your dog to the harness gradually - choose a method appropriate to your dog’s temperament.
Train muzzle use. It’s just as important at home on the street as it is in the mountains.
Practice carrying extra weight - equal to your dog’s mass - and learn how far you can go with it.
Never assume “this won’t happen to us.” It’s better to be prepared and never need it, than to find yourself helpless, even once.