Dog dies after falling over cliff in north Cornwall

Owners are being reminded to keep pets on leads on the coast path

HM Coastguard search and rescuer looking out to sea during previous operation
Author: Sarah YeomanPublished 5th Jul 2021

A dog has died after falling over a cliff in north Cornwall.

Coastguard crews were called to an area near Sandymouth Beach in Bude on Sunday afternoon.

Specialist technicians liaised with the owners and assessed the situation. Sadly the pet had died at the scene.

Emergency services are urging dog owners not to attempt to rescue pets themselves and to always keep dogs on leads on the coast path.

"Bude Coastguard Rescue Team were paged at 14:27 yesterday and tasked to Warren Gutter, near Sandymouth Beach, following a report received by Falmouth Maritime Coordination Centre of a dog that had gone over the cliff in the area. Hartland Coastguard Search and Rescue Team were also tasked to assist.

"As the teams arrived above Warren Gutter beach, further information received from Sandymouth RNLI Lifeguards indicated the incident was slightly further to the south. After having relocated the Rescue Vehicle to a closer postion, a Rope Rescue Technician from the Bude team made his way by foot to the scene, to liaise with the owners and to assess the situation.

"With a clear indication that the dog was deceased, the Technician reported his assessment back to the Officer in Charge. Given the ebbing tide, and that the dog would very soon be accessible via the beach, a rope recovery was deemed unnecessary.

"As with any incident of this nature, Coastguard Rescue Teams are scrambled to prevent members of the public attempting to rescue their pets themselves. Although we are not aware of the exact circumstances of this particular incident, we would always recommend keeping your dog on a lead when on the coastal footpath.

"As this was a very distressing incident for the owners, we please ask that any comments are good natured."

Bude Coastguard Rescue Team

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