Largs RNLI tasked to dog in the water

The Spaniel had swum out from the beach at Portencross and was not returning to their owner.

The owner, concerned for the safety of the dog, had contacted the Coastguard and was looking for assistance. The main concern in this situation would be the owner entering the water to try to help and ending up having difficulties themselves.

As the crew were assembling at the lifeboat station they were notified the dog had managed to get back out of the water on its own, without any assistance, so the volunteer crew were stood down prior to the lifeboat being launched.

Speaking of the incident Deryk Stronach, Launch Authority at Largs RNLI, explained: ‘Being a dog owner myself I understand how scary it must be to observe your dog in difficulty in the water.

‘If your dog is having difficulties in the water, or gets stuck in mud, move to a place they can get to safely and call them, they'll probably get out by themselves.

‘This dog owner did exactly the right thing by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard.

‘Don’t put yourself at risk by going into the water after them.’

For more advice on keeping your dog safe at the beach visit: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety/dogs-at-the-beach

In a coastal, beach or cliff emergency you should always dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Claire McRae, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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