A Coastguard Rescue operation is underway at Culver Down near Sandown following reports that a dog has fallen over the cliff this afternoon (Tuesday).
Bembridge and Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Teams have been tasked to a section of the Down close to the former Coastguard cottages after receiving the reports at just after 15:00.
Teams are assembling technical cliff rescue equipment and are driving stakes into the ground to allow personnel to be secured when checking over the cliff edge for any signs of the wayward animal.
A specialist tripod has also been erected as part of the harnessing system that Coastguard Rescue Officers are expected to utilise shortly.
UPDATE @ 16:20 – Teams have now deployed a Coastguard Rescue Officer over the edge who is now abseiling down the steep cliff face. 2 CRT members are manning the ropes attached to the CRO’s harness, with the commanding officer giving instructions to lower and stop as necessary.
It’s hoped that the CRO’s position over the edge will allow the teams to establish the location of the dog, helping to inform rescuers of their potential next steps.
The condition of the dog is not currently known.
UPDATE @ 16:46 – Coastguards have now located the springer spaniel and, using further harnesses and a specialised animal recovery bag, have safely returned the dog to the top of the cliff.
The white and brown spaniel names Marley is safe and well despite its ordeal, having landed on a ledge approximately 15ft below the cliff top.
CRO’s are checking the dog for any obvious signs of distress or injury and completing the handover of the unscathed animal to its very grateful and relieved owner.
It’s understood that the dog ran too far from the cliff path before taking a tumble and ending up in its precarious position.
Easy keep dog on the????Think about it.
When will people learn not to let their dogs off the lead near the top of cliffs?
Would people let a small child run near the cliff edge? Hopefully the answer to that would be no. Why then let a dog run there, an animal which can much more easily jump or get through fences, bushes etc than a child? Luckily the dog is, apparently, ok after only dropping 15ft or so, but it could have been fatal for the poor animal. Please, just use some common sense and either keep your dog on a lead or don’t walk near the cliff edge.
The dog needs to dissown its owner for not looking after him properly …..
All I wanted to say was I hope the owner expressed their gratitude in an appropriate way ie a substantial contribution for all the trouble they caused
Good news! Well done to the rescue team
Yet another idiot who doesn’t realise dogs can easily go over cliffs! They don’t understand the danger and rely on us to keep them safe. Thankfully this one has come out none the worse for his adventure but others won’t be so lucky. Please please keep your dog on a lead .
Coastguards you are absolutely brilliant. You do your job so well and on a very basic wage. I’m sure the owner was very very grateful.
Daft owners. Keep your dog on a lead when walking near cliffs. So glad your 4 legged friend wasn’t injured or worse. A lesson learnt today.
Well done to all involved and so pleased to dog is safe and well. I’m sure the owner is extremely grateful and feeling bad enough over the incident without others making horrible comments !
I’m sure they are VERY grateful but you have to admit this was rather thoughtless behaviour!! Who would sensibly let a dog run free on a cliff top? One quick glance of a rabbit (possibly) and whoosh!! that dog is off!! A very lucky escape for the dog and hats off to the rescue crew risking their life rescuing it. Glad it was a great outcome but sorry, I agree with others, it was irresponsible and unnecessary.
LoL at the idiots that did not read the story. They were on the path, the dog ran off, spaniels do that. The path is quite a way from the edge. Get your sanctimonious heads out of your sanctimonious arses.
Well said Fred,shame the sheep don’t fall off as well.
Some people are as thick as sh*t.keep your mutt on a lead, it can’t run off. Plain simple logics. Obviously takes some thinking about for some. They should be charged for the rescue mission from these services.
Should not be allowed to keep a dog
If you notice it is not an open cliff edge, but fenced, as it is all the way along.
Yes, and a dog can get in between the wire on the fencing and still go over the edge! Bloody hell, sometimes I wonder which end of the lead the intelligent one is on
Not the brightest button in the basket are you?
That’s a bit of a rich comment coming from you Innit “rocket Ron”.
Should consideration be taken to make owners pay towards part of the cost of the logistics towards the Coast Guard agency. For idiots that cannot understand the dangers to animals and people near cliff edges.
Well done to the rescue team for retrieving the doggie safe and sound.