Quick rescue of labrador by Southwold RNLI keeps owners safely out of the water

Southwold Inshore Lifeboat Annie Tranmer was quickly on scene and recovered a very cold and wet labrador from the River Blyth, before returning him to his owners.

Fortunately no other persons had entered the water as was earlier reported, but quick thinking had managed to prevent the dog from being swept out to sea on the ebb tide. The lifeboat was maneuvered alongside the harbour wall and the crew were able to recover the dog on board before returning him to his owners.

Southwold Atlantic 85 Helm, Sam Doy said: 'This was a good outcome, as the incident was opposite the lifeboat station we were very quickly on scene and the crew were able to get the dog on board, the owners did the right thing by not entering the water to help the dog themselves.'

The RNLI offers the following safety advice for dog walking,

• Keep your dog on a lead if you're close to cliff edges or the water’s edge.
• If your dog goes into the water or gets stuck in mud, don’t go in after them. Move to a place where the dog could get out easily and call them – they will probably get out by themselves.
• If you’re worried your dog can't get out, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Find out more at rnli.org/topdog

RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact Jeremy Taylor, Southwold RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [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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