On the peaceful island of Alderney in the English Channel, an otherwise peaceful afternoon came to an unexpected conclusion when the Alderney Fire Brigade (AFB) received a panicked call. A family out on a hike near the treacherous Telegraph Bay had lost sight of their dog after she’d dashed off excitedly. As they searched anxiously, their worst fears were confirmed—their beloved furry friend had slipped off a cliff, falling over 32 feet below the surface.
While the dog appeared to be unharmed, she couldn’t get back to the top of the cliff due to its steepness. There was a real concern she might slip further down. Without a moment’s hesitation, AFB’s rescue team jumped into action, racing to the scene to rescue the stranded pup.
James Vizard, the lead rescuer, recalled, “The dog was very pleased to see the rescuers, but she was still very distressed. This made the rescue a little more difficult, as the area that the dog was in was very steep, and the ground [was] very loose. The last thing we wanted was the dog to make a dash towards us when we were not ready.”
To ensure the safety of both the dog and the rescuers, the team secured her to one of the rescuers using webbing. Then, they gently fitted her with a specialized dog rescue harness, allowing her to be safely carried while attached to the rescuer.
With the pup tightly attached to her rescuer’s body, AFB crew members at the cliff’s top began their climb upward. Once at the top, the dog received a thorough check for injuries. Thankfully, she seemed unharmed by her fall.
“The dog had no visible injuries and was safely returned to the owner after a much-needed drink and some love from the remaining crew,” AFB reported.
The AFB team was overjoyed with the successful rescue, especially since the dog was saved unharmed and everything went according to plan. Nevertheless, they hope this incident serves as a reminder to dog owners who venture out hiking near cliffs, especially in places like Telegraph Bay.
“We would advise all owners to make sure dogs are kept on leashes when walking near the cliff paths,” Vizard cautioned.
Although the AFB hasn’t heard from the dog since her rescue, it’s safe to assume that she’s been enjoying new adventures alongside her humans. As she explores the world securely, James Vizard and his fellow rescuers remain prepared for any challenging mission, ready to assist any pup in need, just like her.
