Dog rescued after 150ft cliff fall

A dog has been rescued after falling 150ft down a cliff in Devon.

The RSPCA were called on Thursday (June 23) by some local ‘coasteerers’ who had seen the dog in a cove at the bottom of cliffs in Noss Mayo.The charity liaised with the Coastguard to ensure nine-year-old Jack was rescued as quickly and safely as possible.

The dog's owners, who are from Ludlow in Shropshire, are on holiday in North Tawton, North Devon, and lost Jack while walking on the South Devon coast path on Wednesday (June 22).

It is thought he had the scent of a rabbit and lost his footing on the edge of the cliff while scampering after it.

Later some local coasteerers - who explore rocky coastlines through jumping off cliffs - saw him trapped in an inaccessible cove and rang the RSPCA immediately.

Coastguard Rescue Teams from Yealm and Plymouth, assisted by Mike Waite and Matt Parven, who phoned in the rescue, mounted a rescue to descend to the bottom of the cliff and were able to get Jack, who was extremely nervous, into an animal bag to take him back up where RSPCA Inspector Beccy Wadey was waiting.

Inspector Wadey scanned Jack for a microchip and was able to reach his owners in North Devon.

Inspector Wadey said: “Jack had been missing since the day before, his owners were extremely relieved to get a call from us. It was extremely fortunate that Mike and Matt were in the area and saw him because he couldn't get out of the cove and would not have survived without being rescued.

“It just goes to show the importance of microchipping your dog as we were able to reunite him with his owners straight away.

“He didn’t have a scratch on him which was remarkable, he is a lucky little chap.

“It was great team working between the public, ourselves and the Coastguard to ensure the safety of Jack.”

After a night at the vets Beccy met the relieved owners halfway at RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter in Exeter.

UK Coastguard Nic Longsdale said: “Dogs often slip or bound over a cliff edge because they haven’t anticipated the drop ahead.

“If you’re taking your dog for a walk on cliff paths, we’d advise you keep them on a lead.

“It can be tempting to let your dog walk off the lead especially if they are used to it and are well trained, but accidents like this are not uncommon.

“Fortunately Jack was unharmed, but it doesn’t always end so well. If your dog does go over a cliff, don’t attempt to self-rescue, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

The RSPCA is a charity and we rely on public donations to exist. To assist our inspectors in carrying out their vital work please text HELP to 78866 to give £3. (Texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message.)