If dogs and other animals are in danger, people will often put themselves and their lives at risk attempting to rescue them. It’s a risk that’s just not worth taking and we want you to live to tell the ‘tail’.
Dogs can get themselves into trouble very quickly (and often get themselves out of trouble just as fast). If it happens to you at the coast, we’d recommend you take a moment to think of safety and #Paws4Safety. Don’t put yourself or others at risk, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Many people have done exactly that recently. Come back Bobs!
Just this week, Tracy Neale was in a quandary when beloved Jack Russell terrier ‘Bobs’ spotted a rabbit on a cliff and gave chase. Bobs was engrossed in his unsuccessful mission. So engrossed in fact that three hours passed and the day was drawing in…
They did the right thing
Picture credit Bridlington Coastguard recue team
Grateful owner thanks teams
Bobs won’t be given his off lead coastal freedom again, a grateful Tracy said: :
“I always take great care when walking Bobs and I thought we’d be safe on the beach. But he spotted a rabbit on the cliff and made a dash for it. We tried to get him down for three hours but he played deaf. When the fantastic teams came to the rescue, he decided the game was up and ran back down by himself. He’ll be on a lead at all times at the coast from now on!”
Muddy Paws
Meanwhile on 2 August, an innocent walk with a dog at the Knott End Slipway on the Fylde coast turned into something less pleasant. The tides and currents are notoriously fast in that area, making it easy for even the most experienced coastal users to get into trouble.
Picture credit: Fleetwood Coastguard rescue team
A woman and her dog got caught out on a hot sunny day. They were firmly stuck in the sticky mud. Fleetwood and Knott-End Coastguard teams, equipped with specialist mud rescue equipment were thankfully soon able to help. The crew of the local Knott End ferry Wyre Rose helped the Knott End Team to reach the pair and pulled them out of the mud so they were able to go home safe and sound, albeit in need of a good wash.
No sooner had the teams had a hose down courtesy of the Ferry’s jet wash, they set off again, with the RNLI lifeboat also being sent following reports of people in danger of being cut off by the tides. They were brought safely back to shore and it was ice creams all round.
Don’t let your dog give you the drop – like Milo
Picture credit: Lulworth and Kimmeridge Coastguard rescue team
Just last month, Milo’s life was on the edge. He’d slipped and fallen 30ft down a cliff onto a narrow ledge. Below that was a further sheer drop of 100ft to the beach below.
Fearing for his life and the risk that the watching crowds of people might put their own safety on the line to try and help him, our teams raced to the rescue. Milo owes them his life .
Our teams from Kimmeridge Coastguard & Lulworth carried out a technical rope rescue, with one of the Lulworth team being lowered 30ft down to get him, armed with a special rescue bag and tasty treats.
His relieved owner said:
“I can’t thank you enough for saving Milo. The team’s skill and professionalism under huge pressure was simply breath taking. Milo owes them his life - literally.”
- don't let it happen to you
- always keep your dog on a lead
- always check weather and tides before setting out. Leave yourself plent of time to get back
- stay well back from cliff edges, they can be crumbly and slippery when wet & easily give way
- observe all local safety notices
- don’t risk yourself if your dog is in trouble on the coast or in the sea. They often get themselves to safety, some owners don’t.
- call 999, ask for the Coastguard
Useful links
http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.com/2021/07/safety-spotlight-tides-and-rips-stay.html
http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.com/2021/07/safety-spotlight-tides-and-rips-stay.html
http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.com/2021/07/safety-spotlight-tech-up-in-case-of.html
http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.com/2021/08/family-call-999-and-ask-for-the-coastguard-to-help-rescue-man-stuck-in-the-mud.html
