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Rescuer Receives Custody of Abandoned Dog

by KREX News Room
by Cori Coffin

Story Created: Sep 17, 2012 at 12:09 AM MDT

Story Updated: Sep 17, 2012 at 7:48 AM MDT

CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, Colo.- The owner of a dog left behind on a Colorado peak says he wants one of her rescuers to have her.

Anthony Ortolani spoke out for the first time Sunday since the incident happened about a month ago.

Ortolani says he wants to surrender custody of his 5-year-old German shepherd/Rottweiler mix named Missy to one of the members of the volunteer rescue team who retrieved her off the face of Mount Bierstadt.

Ortolani says during the climb, Missy became injured and she couldn't walk down.

With bad weather moving in and no water, Ortolani made the decision to leave her there.

The dog was spotted by strangers eight days later and brought to safety.

Ortolani says he feels it's best for Missy, who sits in a shelter while his court case continues.

"I would much rather see her with one of the rescuers who were very affectionate to her, obviously, then sitting in a kennel somewhere in Clear Creek County," said Ortolani in a press conference.

He faces a charge of animal cruelty.

His attorney says they have reached a tentative deal with the Clear Creek County District Attorney's Office.

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