Cleethorpes Lifeboat rescues dog from mud near Grimsby Docks
The crew of Cleethorpes lifeboat were alerted by UK Coastguard shortly after 3pm today, 4 November to reports of a dog stuck in mud near Grimsby.
The charity’s volunteer crew made their way to the reported area, where they could see the dog swimming and concerned people on the shoreline attempting to attract their attention.
Shallow water, thick soft mud and a fast-incoming tide made the area treacherous but the lifeboat was able to get within a few feet of the dog, in only a few inches of water before being unable to get any closer. The small dog appeared to be waiting patiently for rescue but when one of the crew started wading across the mud towards it, it changed its mind and headed back to the safety of the shore on its own.
Once on the shore, the dog’s owner was able to take a hold of him and make sure he didn’t run off again.
The lifeboat crew went ashore to check all were well and the owner explained that the dog, Beano, had been missing for around 24 hours from the Bradley area of Grimsby, nearly 2 miles away.
As there was now no immediate danger to the dog or his owners, the lifeboat left them to make their way back to the road, where Cleethorpes Coastguard Rescue Team and the RSPCA were on hand to ensure that all was well.
'While we understand the terrier escaped from a garden after being spooked by a firework, frightening incidents like this show how important it is to keep your dogs on the lead when you're near water or coastline. We'd urge anybody whose pet gets stuck in the mud not to put themselves in danger by attempting to carry out a rescue but to call 999.'
The RNLI launches to reports of animals in distress in the water to lessen the risk of members of the public attempting a rescue.
Deputy Launch Authority for Cleethorpes lifeboat, Andy Burden, explained ‘The area where this incident took place is absolutely treacherous with very soft mud and a fast incoming tide. Regardless of fitness or experience, anyone trying to make their way to the dog would have quickly found themselves in serious trouble, which could lead to our volunteers, or Coastguard volunteers, having to carry out a difficult rescue quickly before a tragedy occurred.’
‘Our volunteers are equipped and trained to operate in this sort of terrain but still have to carefully consider their safety before entering the mud as it is so dangerous.’
ENDS
For more information, contact Matt McNally, Lifeboat Press Officer, Cleethorpes RNLI on 07771-797556
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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