Coastguard Rescue Teams from Ventnor and Bembridge have successfully rescued a dog from a cliff in Bonchurch tonight (Thursday).
Whilst off the lead on an evening walk, the Staffie fell a short distance from the top of the cliff at Rivera Park, landing on a ledge below.
With no safe means of rescuing the animal – which was unable to scramble up the cliff unaided – the pet’s owner alerted HM Coastguard to the situation shortly before 21:00.
Arriving on scene off Shore Road, Coastguard Rescue Officers decided to lower a cliff man over the edge to rescue the dog from its predicament. The rescue was made somewhat easier thanks to the dog’s red light-up collar.
The family pet is now back on solid ground and is heading home with its owner after a swift, safe rescue.
Coastguard Teams have now stood down from the incident – their first shout of the year.
If you or someone else is in difficulty on the coast or at sea, or if you spot what you think may be unexploded ordnance, then dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Further safety information can be found at https://coastguardsafety.campaign.gov.uk/.
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Fantastic
Surely a good reason to have the dog on a lead? Will the owners foot the bill
I hope the owner gets the bill. Why let a dog off the lead so close to the cliff edge?
The dog was off the lead because it was a secure, fenced area. Freak accidents happen.
All’s well that ends well 🙂
More stupid people on the I o w
There are even more stupid people EVERYWHERE!
Know the facts before you pass judgement.
Read above comment. I witnessed the incident.
You know nothing about the circumstances so your comment just shows your own ignorance.
Well said Caroline!
Cliffs should be fenced at the LANDOWNERS expense. What if it were a thick child running about? Glad they saved the innocent dog though, as they don’t know what to expect
Senseless owner
Shouldn’t be allowed to have dog!
End of day Caroline the dog was off the lead owners fault end of story
It was a secure private area with two fences between the park and the cliff edge and thick undergrowth between the fences. This dog and many others have enjoyed this park for off lead exercise. I believe that a wild animal unfortunately induced the dog to jump the fencing in pursuit.
We should be grateful that we have our wonderful Coastguard team and that there was a happy outcome.
I would agree old bean if this hadn’t been in an enclosed area.
Why should landowners fence of the cliff edge. Surely people know it’s a cliff edge and it’s consequences.
Surely sensible people would not keep their dog off the lead. Oh hang on this is the I.O.W with a higher
percentage of stupid people than any where else.