Ilfracombe lifeboat launches to rescue stranded dog from beach

The RNLI volunteer crew launched the inshore lifeboat the Deborah Brown III just after midday following reports from members of the public that a dog was stranded on the beach below Crock Point, which is not accessible from the cliff above.

The crew made good speed out to towards Crock Point in choppy conditions with a slight easterly breeze, arriving 35 minutes later. As the crew arrived near Crock Point they were directed to the beach below the point by the Lynmouth Coastguard Search and Rescue team.

The dog had been out walking with it’s owner the previous day when it ran off and failed to return home. The owner reported the dog missing and despite searches and appeals the dog was not found until the following morning when walkers on the cliff above the remote beach heard barking from the inaccessible beach below.

As they got closer the crew could see the dog sitting on the beach. Once the dog had been spotted, the inshore lifeboat made its way to the beach and two crew went ashore. The crew members were quickly greeted by the dog who was clearly very happy to see them. The crew assessed the condition of the dog, who was cold and shivering, having been on the beach all night, and carried it to the lifeboat. The dog was then lifted onboard the lifeboat and taken five minutes further along the coast to Lee Bay where she was met by the Lynmouth Coastguard and re-united with her relieved owner. The lifeboat then returned to station arriving around 1.15 p.m. where it was cleaned and prepared ready for the next service.

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.