A DOG had to be rescued after going over the cliff edge during Bank Holiday Monday.

HM Coastguard received a 999 call from a concerned member of the public reporting that a dog had gone over the cliff at Southerndown.

The call was received at 11.40am.

Coastguard rescue teams from Llantwit Major and Barry were sent along with the RNLI lifeboat from Porthcawl.

In a good news end to the story, the dog was brought to safety and returned to its owners by the coastguard rescue team.

On Facebook, the National Coastwatch Institution at St Donat's Bay commended the efforts of everyone involved in the pooch rescue mission, saying: “We were tracking this at NCI St Donat’s Bay station.

“So glad it ended up a success. Great team work from Barry Coastguard, Llantwit Major Coastguard and Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat.”

Barry And District News: A dramatic rescue in an even more dramatic settingA dramatic rescue in an even more dramatic setting (Image: Llantwit Major Coastguard)

Barry And District News: The pooch was safely returned to its ownerThe pooch was safely returned to its owner (Image: Llantwit Major Coastguard)

Barry Dock RNLI say May has been a busy month for the service including training the team on their new lifeboat while responding to calls including being tasked with finding missing children, and helping kite surfers, paddle boarders and kayakers to name a few.

“May has been a busy month for the crew of Barry Dock RNLI,” said a station spokesperson. “We have had continued training on our Shannon ready for forthcoming pass-outs, as well as maintaining and keeping our operational lifeboat all-weather Trent on service and exercised. 

“We have been tasked to Missing Children; Kite Surfers; Paddle Boarders; Kayakers; Cut-offs as well as to a host of other shouts that has certainly kept us all busy, but still maintaining the lifesaving service that the RNLI in Barry is there for.”

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency issued safety advice for people finding themselves around cliff edges.

Barry And District News: Barry Dock RNLI has welcomed in a new lifeboat for this seasonBarry Dock RNLI has welcomed in a new lifeboat for this season (Image: Barry Dock RNLI)

Maritime and Coastguard Agency cliff safety advice

  • Stay away from cliff edges – they can be crumbly or slippery when wet.
  • Always keep your dog on a lead near cliffs. 
  • Do not attempt to rescue a dog which has fallen down a cliff or being swept out to sea. This is because you are likely to get in to difficulty. Call 999 and ask for the coastguard.