A Labrador’s Ben Nevis hike ends in mountain rescue after an unexpected ‘high’

Most dog owners know the feeling. You look away for just a second and your four-legged friend has already trying to quickly swallow something they absolutely shouldn’t be eating. They say it’s always 4:20 somewhere, but for Tokyo a black Labrador, that somewhere turned out to be the top of Ben Nevis, where a mountain adventure took a very unexpected turn of events. 

Unfortunately for Tokyo, that irresistible canine habit turned into a full-scale rescue mission after vets suspected she had accidentally eaten discarded cannabis left on the trail. Instead of enjoying the views from Scotland’s highest mountain, the usually fit and active working dog took a different kind of trip halfway up the 4,413ft (1,345-metre) climb, after loosing the use of her legs she began drifting in and out of consciousness, leaving her owner facing every dog lover’s worst nightmare.

From scenic hike to mountain rescue

Anyone who has ever owned a Labrador knows they’re famous for three things: boundless enthusiasm, an out of the usual obsession with water and an uncanny ability to find things they probably shouldn’t eat. Unfortunately for Tokyo, her latest discovery appears to have been far more dangerous than the average forgotten sandwich. Carrying a 25kg Labrador down Britain’s highest mountain wasn’t exactly an option, so the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team was called into action. 

Volunteers made their way up the mountain before carefully placing the scared dog onto a stretcher and carrying her safely back down to waiting veterinary care. While mountain rescuers regularly help stranded hikers, rescuing a collapsed Labrador isn’t your average day on Ben Nevis. Thankfully, Tokyo was rushed to a veterinary clinic in Fort William, where she received treatment and made a full recovery by the following day.

The unexpected culprit

Veterinarians believed Tokyo’s symptoms were consistent with cannabis ingestion after she was thought to have picked up discarded drugs left somewhere along the popular hiking route. It might sound unbelievable, but it’s a reminder that litter on walking trails can be far more dangerous than crisp packets and plastic bottles.

Dogs experience the world through their noses, and Labradors, in particular, have earned a reputation for investigating absolutely everything. Unfortunately, curiosity doesn’t always make for the best survival strategy. Dogs also have significantly more cannabinoid receptors in their brains than humans (take Snoop Dogg for example), meaning cannabis can affect them much more severely. Symptoms can begin within 30 to 90 minutes and include stumbling, loss of balance, inability to stand, dribbling urine, glassy eyes and, in more serious cases, collapse or unconsciousness.

Not the first dog caught out

As strange as Tokyo’s ordeal may seem, it isn’t an isolated case. In 2024, two dogs in Somerset were left unable to stand after consuming human waste containing cannabis while walking through Winscombe Nature Reserve, highlighting that discarded drugs can pose a genuine risk to pets in places where owners would least expect them. Tokyo’s rescue is another reminder that even the most picturesque walking routes can hide unexpected hazards.

A timely reminder for dog owners

With thousands of people heading into the mountains and countryside during the summer holidays, pet owners are being reminded to keep a close eye on what their dogs are sniffing or picking up. Food scraps, medicines, vaping products, drugs and other rubbish can all become irresistible discoveries for curious pets before their owners even realise what’s happened. If a dog suddenly becomes weak, confused, unusually sleepy or struggles to walk after a hike, veterinarians recommend seeking immediate treatment, as early intervention can make all the difference, thankfully, Tokyo’s story ended with a happy tail rather than a tragic tale.

The bizarre rescue has raised plenty of smiles online, with many dog owners joking that Labradors really will eat absolutely anything if given half a chance, but beneath the humour lies an important message. The rubbish people leave behind doesn’t just spoil the scenery. It can become a life-threatening hazard for wildlife and unsuspecting pets exploring the great outdoors. For Tokyo, an ordinary day in the Scottish Highlands became an unforgettable adventure for all the wrong reasons. Thanks to the quick thinking of her owner, the professionalism of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and prompt veterinary care, the curious Labrador was back on her paws the very next day, proving that some adventures are better enjoyed completely sober.