Japan's highest peak, Mount Fuji, which stands at an altitude of 3,776 meters, was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June. On the 1st of this month, it opened for climbing for the year. Hikers were surprised to spot a brown dog at the summit. Photos of the dog uploaded online became a hot topic.
Japanese media reported under the headline "If it was a walk, that’s taking it a bit far," noting that hikers saw a stray dog at the top of Mount Fuji. Speculation arose over whether the dog had been abandoned or had accompanied its owner to the summit.
After hikers posted photos of the dog seen atop the mountain online, the story gained traction. On the 24th of this month, Shizuoka Prefecture’s Gotemba Health Center and animal welfare groups, in accordance with the Rabies Prevention Law, set up traps near the summit of Mount Fuji.
Shizuoka Prefecture’s Gotemba Health Center noted that the dog has brown fur, is of medium size, and is a mixed breed. It was not wearing a collar and did not seem unfamiliar around people, even approaching hikers. Initial assessments suggest the dog may have been brought to the mountain by its owner but got lost along the way.
On the 23rd, after being consulted by an animal welfare group from Tokyo, the health center decided to take the dog into protective custody. 1020728
(Central News Agency)