Two dogs rescued from edge of same Cornish cliff in space of two days
Falmouth Lifeboat and the Coastguard rescue teams from the town and Porthoustock were called after the animals got stuck
__ Two dogs have had to be rescued from the edge of the same cliff near Falmouth in the space of two days.
On Wednesday, a dog and one person became stuck at High Cliff near Maenporth.
The individual was lowered to the waiting lifeboat after Coastguard rescuers cut their way through the thick undergrowth, while the dog was safely winched to the top of the cliff in a rescue bag.
The next day, on Thursday 4th March, another dog ended up stuck in the same place after its lead became caught on a branch.
The animal was also recovered to the top of the cliff by Coastguard rescue teams.
HM Coastguard and the RNLI are urging owners to keep their pets on lead around the Cornish coast.
"Falmouth’s inshore lifeboat, Robina Nixon Chard, was launched on both Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th March to dogs that had got into difficulty and were in need of assistance.
"Just after 4.40pm on Wednesday 3 March, Falmouth crews left the station and made their way towards Maenporth beach area where a dog and individual had become stuck.
"Falmouth and Porthoustock Coastguard Rescue Teams were already on scene, and due to the amount and thickness of the undergrowth on the cliff, decided to lower the individual down to the lifeboat, and recover the dog safely to the top in a rescue bag. Falmouth RNLI Crew then took the individual to Maenporth Beach and then returned to the station.
"The next morning, at 8.45am, Falmouth Coastguard again requested Falmouth inshore lifeboat to launch and assist in the recovery of a dog from High Cliff near Maenporth.
"Once on scene, the lifeboat and crew waited nearby whilst the Falmouth and Porthoustock Coastguard Rescue Teams cut their way through undergrowth and brambles to get access to the dog, caught by their harness on a branch near the cliff edge.
"Given the state of the cliff, it was decided to recover the dog back up to the Coastguard teams, rather than lowering it into the boat, and so the inshore lifeboat was stood down to return to the station and be refuelled, ready for the next service.
"Whether it’s a human or a four-legged friend in trouble along the coast, please call 999 and ask for the Coastguard in order to keep yourself safe".
Falmouth RNLI
"04/03/21 - 0841 - Team tasked to a dog over a cliff, High Cliff, Maenporth. Porthoustock Coastguard Rescue Team, Falmouth Lifeboat and full time Senior Coastal Operations Officer S11D were also tasked.
"On scene, our edge safety officer cut through about 20 meters of dense undergrowth and brambles and was able to identify where the dog was stuck.
"A specialist rope rescue technician was then lowered down the cliff, cutting a path through the dense gorse and hawthorn to the dog. The dogs harness was caught around a hawthorn branch and this had stopped him falling any further.
"Initially it was planned to lower both the dog and technician to the ILB below, but given the state of the cliff it was decided best to come back up.
"Both dog and technician were recovered to the cliff top and the dog reunited with its grateful owner.
"Another example of great teamwork between all services on this job.
"This is the second dog rescue in as many days in almost the same place. Please keep your dogs on leads around the cliffs.
"The owner did the correct thing and dialled 999 and asked for help right away.
"If you spot anyone in danger on the coast, dial 999 and ask for Coastguard".
Falmouth Coastguard