Whitby RNLI rescue dog after 20 metre cliff fall
Whitby RNLI volunteers were called on Tuesday (31 December) to support the local coastguard team in getting the dog to safety.
The dog’s owner who was walking near Saltwick Nab, south of Whitby, called for help when his dog fell over the edge of the cliff.
The injured dog was located but it was decided that the safest method of extraction due to the location as well as the size of the dog was via lifeboat.
The charity’s inshore lifeboat was launched to the incident as it can be brought ashore.
The RNLI volunteers carried the injured dog to the lifeboat, and decided to bring the owner along with them to keep the dog calm.
The owner and his dog Duke were returned safely to Whitby lifeboat station where family were waiting to take the dog straight to the vets.
Whitby RNLI Station Mechanic who attended the incident said: ‘Some people might find it strange that we rescue pets but due to the location of the incident it could have been dangerous for the owner to attempt carrying the dog himself. The area is quite slippy and it would have been a long walk back due to the lack of access.
The size of the dog meant that taking the dog back up the cliff would have been difficult as well as distressing for the animal.
We’d much rather see an animal be rescued quickly and safely and no one else put in danger trying to rescue them.’
If you get into trouble on the coast you can alert the RNLI by calling 999 and asking for the coastguard.
For more information contact Lifeboat Press Officer Ceri Oakes on 07813359428 or email [email protected]
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
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