FEATURE: Hiker's death puts spotlight on dogs on Japan's mountain trails

KOFU, Japan - A fatal accident involving a hiker and her dog at a scenic gorge near Tokyo has highlighted the risks of taking pets into the mountains, as authorities and hiking experts grapple with how to balance safety with a growing appetite for outdoor excursions with animals.

The woman died in May after falling into a waterfall pool at Nishizawa Gorge in Yamanashi Prefecture, a popular hiking destination with a roughly 10-kilometer circuit and an elevation gain of about 300 meters.