Dog dies from suspected heat exhaustion moments after hiking favorite California trail

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It was a heartbreaking ordeal on Friday after a dog died just moments after hiking a favorite trail on Cowles Mountain in California. Heat exhaustion is suspected to have caused the death of the four-year-old dog, however a necropsy will have to determine the dog’s exact cause.

According to Channel 10 News, the family’s four-year-old German shepherd mix Hogan began panting heavily as they made their way up Cowles Mountain around 10 a.m. They began to head back when they say his paws started to bleed; moments later Hogan collapsed. A stranger helped them carry Hogan back, as the dog vomited on the way down.

Before starting the hiking trail, the family did note a sign warning hikers the trail may be too hot for dogs, but the family stated that Hogan loved the outdoors. And he did fine; that is until they turned around to go back down the mountain when Hogan just crashed:

“… he was doing great. And then all of a sudden, it just hit him, and he was so tired,” said Hogan’s owner, Lexi Bouck.  “He started bleeding really bad from his paws, so we put water on them. You just saw his body collapse.”

The dog was rushed to a veterinarian hospital but died shortly after that.

“He was having fun, but he’s only four. You don’t want to risk that because you lose them forever,” Lexi said while holding back tears.

The family wants to warn other dog owners and hope people will really think twice before hiking with their pets in the heat. No charges have been pressed against Hogan’s owner. Tragically our canine friends are more susceptible to heat stroke than humans. If the ground is too hot for your hand, then it is too hot on a dog paws. If you do decide to take your dog, bring plenty of water, dog treats and stop often in shaded areas. Remember dogs sweat through their tongues and only slightly through their paws.

According to volunteers walking up and down Cowles Mountain helping people, four dogs died this week while hiking the trail.

Rest in peace Hogan.

Photo of dog died from heat exhaustion via NbcLosAngelesNews)

Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook.

Read about the dog who died while hiking in Arizona. Please heed the warnings and the tragedies of other dogs and their owners.


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13 COMMENTS

  1. This is so upsetting! What a gorgeous beautiful dog! Why do people have to be so reckless and take chances like this,that warning was there for a reason!

  2. According to this article, 4 dogs died this week at the same trail. Shouldn’t there be a warning when the weather/temperature is too hot for a pet to go up that trail?If there were maybe a pet owner would think twice or at the very least explain to hikers just how quickly a dog can react to the heat and heat stroke, which can be prevented. How terrible for that dog. Paws bleeding should have been a clue there was something seriously happening to this dog.

    • There was a sign warning the trail may be to hot for dogs and they went anyway. This could have been prevented and Hogan would still be alive.

  3. Yeah, Hogan did fine until he died. No dog should be allowed on Cowles Mountain – it is too dangerous since at least four dogs have perished – WAKE UP DOG OWNERS – leave your pets at home if you are going there.

  4. This is so sad…… there are “water cooled” hiking vests designed for dogs available through online sources….. too bad he didn’t have one, this cooling vest might have made the difference between life and death………

    4 dogs dying on this trail in one week means this trail is NOT safe for dogs……. problem is that one learns “dogs not safe on this trail” too late (the dog is with them)& unless someone doesn’t hike & stays with the dog in the car, the dog will be taken on the hike & risk death…….

  5. This Woman should be brought up on Animal Cruelty Charges to the Max. If it’s Hot outside, Leave your Dog at Home you Stupid Bitch. RIP Little Angel.

  6. Since she ignored the sign the poor dog would be alive at this time. If she had to go hiking why didn’t she go when it was cooler like October. I hate when people have to go in the middle of the hot summer or in the freezing weather. People are so damn stupid when it comes to animals sometimes. It was so important to go in the very hot weather.

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