Man becomes trapped on cliff edge trying to rescue dog which fell 25ft

The coastguard team said that it is the fourth cliff rescue carried out this year regarding dogs falling from the cliff edge.

Caitlyn Dewar

13th Aug 2023

Posted in

Dumfries and Galloway

A dog and its owner were rescued after falling 25ft over a cliff at a beauty spot in Dumfries and Galloway on Sunday.

At 11.40am on August 13, coastguard rescue teams from Portpatrick, Stranraer, Ballantrae and Drummore along with the RNLI Portpatrick lifeboat were called by the Belfast Coastguard to a report of a person stuck on a cliff below Dunskey Castle in Portpatrick.

The dog had fallen 25ft and two people had gone after him when one got into difficulty and found himself trapped on the cliffside.

The man was rescued after rope rescue gear was rigged and a cliff rescue technician was lowered down to secure him.

Two people had gone over the cliff to rescue the dog when one man became stuck prompting the rescue operation. HM Coastguard Portpatrick

He was winched to safety by the team on the cliff top before he was reunited with his family and dog.

The coastguard team from Portpatrick said that it is the fourth cliff rescue carried out this year regarding dogs falling from the cliff edge and issued a warning to dog walkers.

A spokesperson said: “We would strongly advise that anyone walking on the cliff paths with a dog keeps it in a lead at all times.

“If for any reason the dog ends up over the cliff, please do not try self rescue.

“CALL 999 and ask for the COASTGUARD.”