Christina Bluhm and her dog Ben were climbing on Nevis when the dog collapsed and became unconscious after ingesting marijuana left by another hiker, causing it to be carried out.
Ben Nevis (Photo: Andy-Coleman/iStock via Getty)
Updated July 13, 2026 06:38 pm
A journey to climb Britain’s highest peak took a frightening turn last weekend when a dog collapsed near the summit of Ben Nevis after apparently consuming discarded marijuana.
When the Black Lab in Tokyo began to falter, its owner Christina Bluhme immediately assumed the worst.
“At first, I thought it might be something in the spine or a disc that had slipped because of the climbing,” Bluhme. told CNN. “But then she started coming in and out of consciousness. I was standing on that mountain thinking, I’m going to lose her.”
Bluhme first attempted to take Tokyo down from the peak, but the steep ground and the dog’s 50-pound weight made the journey slow and uncomfortable. On the suggestion of a fellow passenger, he called for help.
The Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team swung into action after responding to a separate incident nearby. Volunteers rushed to Bluhme and Tokyo and secured the unconscious lab on a stretcher before carefully descending the 4,412-foot peak.
Once Tokyo arrived at a veterinary clinic, his veterinarian immediately recognized His symptoms are consistent with neurotoxicity. The most likely culprit, the veterinarian said, was marijuana that may have been dumped somewhere along the way or left in improperly buried human waste.
in an email to backpackerStephanie Montgomery, a veterinarian and CEO American Kennel Club Canine Health FoundationSaid he was not surprised by this story.
“Dogs (especially Labradors?!) find and eat things they shouldn’t!” Montgomery wrote. “When you’re hiking, it’s always safest to keep dogs on a leash because your dog explores the world with his nose and mouth. Cannabis edibles can smell and taste like regular delicacies, so they’re tempting to dogs.”
According to Montgomery, poisoning in dogs has become more frequent due to the widespread availability of marijuana-containing products, including outside the home, with some dogs even finding cannabis left by previous guests in hotel rooms.
While marijuana generally has relatively mild effects on humans, dogs are more sensitive to THC due to the higher density of cannabinoid receptors; Montgomery said the foods are especially dangerous for dogs, as they may contain chocolate or other toxic substances like xylitol. Symptoms of cannabis toxicity may appear within 30 minute Intake may include difficulty walking, lethargy, tremors, incontinence and vomiting. In severe cases, cannabis poisoning can be fatal for dogs.
Fortunately, Tokyo received prompt treatment, including a IV infusion and activated charcoal. In a Facebook post on July 10, Lochaber Mountain Rescue Confirmed that the dog has made a full recovery. Bluhme expressed his gratitude to the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team for their quick response time and support, while also warning other pet owners to exercise caution when hiking in public areas with their pets.
“A little reminder to fellow dog owners – please be aware that discarded medications and other toxic substances can sometimes be found in even the most beautiful outdoor spaces,” Bluhme. reflect To Guardian.
He added, “It was something I never imagined we would encounter.”
