Littlehampton RNLI rescue stranded dog.
Littlehampton RNLI’s D Class lifeboat Ray of Hope and volunteer crew launched at 12:52pm on 14 January in response to a call from the UK Coastguard.
The incident had been reported by a member of Littlehampton Coastguard Team who was near the reported location, the shoal bank opposite West Beach Café. It appears that on this occasion members of the public, concerned for the welfare of the dog were trying to use a ladder to get down to rescue it. At this point the public were advised against their action and the UK Coastguard was contacted. The lifeboat and crew headed out towards the scene in fine weather conditions and successfully recovered the dog then returned it to its grateful owner. The lifeboat returned to the station at 1:10pm, where it was re-fuelled and made ready for service.
A spokesman for the RNLI said “If you do see something and have good reason to think an animal is in difficulty, don’t get yourself into danger while trying to rescue a family pet from the water. If your dog does get into difficulty in the water or gets stuck in mud do not go in to try and rescue it. In many cases dogs will get out themselves. The advice is to keep dogs on a lead if walking close to cliff edges, the sea or fast flowing rivers, and if your pet is in difficulty call 999 and ask for the UK Coastguard.”
RNLI media contacts
- Ray Pye, Littlehampton RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer / 07854 074688, email [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252, email [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.