20 November 2008

Dog owners have been warned to keep pets on leads when walking near cliff-tops.

Coastguard Rescue Service issued the advice after a springer spaniel plunged 60-feet down cliffs, in Portrush, Northern Ireland.

The pet's distressed owners told how their beloved dog had fallen into the sea after his fall.

Despite being dragged into the water the springer spaniel managed to scramble on to a ledge but he became trapped.

Luckily, staff from the Coleraine Coastguard Rope Rescue team offered to save the pet and winched him to safety.

The dog is recovering well from his ordeal but Chris Little, station officer for the Coastguard, reminded dog walkers to be careful near cliff-tops.

"This is the second incident of its type within the last month. Unfortunately incidents like this do not always end so happily," he told the Coleraine Times.

Elsewhere, a Dorset pet owner and his dog had to be rescued by the emergency services after they both became stuck in mud for an hour, according to the BBC.