Dog walkers advised to keep away from cliffs after collie plunges 125ft

Mon, 17 Jan 2011

Dorset coastguards are warning people to keep their dogs safely on a lead while walking along cliffs and to not carry out any rescue attempts if their pet falls over the edge.

Emergency services were called to cliffs at Durdle Door, near Lulworth cove, when a walker found himself in trouble after he tried to rescue his dog which had fallen over the cliff edge.

The dog, a 14 year old collie, plummeted 125 ft., prompting a rescue attempt by his owner. However, he found himself unable to negotiate the cliff face, which towers above Man o’ War Bay and was left clinging to it desperately.

Luckily, the emergency services airlifted him back to the cliff top and attended to his pet. The Portland Coastguard watch manager, Bruce Lack, said: "The owner put his own life in danger in a misguided attempt to rescue his dog. The dog was rushed off to a vet by the coastguard where he was checked over. We always advise owners to keep their dogs on leads when walking the cliff paths and never to put one’s own life in danger in an attempt to rescue a beloved family pet ."

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