On a quiet afternoon on Alderney—an island in the English Channel—the Alderney Fire Brigade (AFB) received an urgent call. A family hiking near the perilous Telegraph Bay had lost sight of their dog after she ran off.
Their frantic search revealed that she had fallen more than 32 feet down a steep cliff.
Though the dog appeared unharmed, she was unable to climb back up, and the family feared she might slip further into danger.
Swift Response
The AFB rescue team quickly mobilized. Two crew members stayed with the family at the cliff’s edge, while two others carefully rappelled down to reach the stranded dog.
As the rescuers descended, the pup watched intently. The moment she realized help was arriving, her gratitude was unmistakable.
A Careful and Courageous Rescue
James Vizard, the lead rescuer, told The Dodo, “The dog was happy to see us but remained very distressed. The steep, unstable terrain made the rescue tricky. We had to be cautious to prevent her from panicking and running towards us unexpectedly.”
Once at the pup’s side, the team secured her with a piece of webbing. They then fitted her with a specialized dog rescue harness, designed to safely carry her while attached to a rescuer.
Safe and Sound, Reunited at Last
Back at the cliff top, the remaining crew hoisted the rescuer and pup to safety. The dog was carefully examined and, much to everyone’s relief, showed no signs of injury.
According to AFB’s Facebook update, “The dog had no visible injuries and was returned safely to her owners after a well-deserved drink and plenty of fuss.”
Freed from danger, the pup raced joyfully into her family’s arms, showering them with licks and love. After more than an hour of terror, the family was whole again.
The AFB team was overjoyed with the successful rescue, especially since the dog emerged unharmed. They hope this story serves as a reminder to pet owners.
“We strongly advise all owners to keep dogs on leashes near cliff edges,” Vizard emphasized.
While the rescuers haven’t heard from the dog since, it’s easy to imagine her enjoying safe new adventures alongside her family.
Meanwhile, Vizard and his colleagues continue training for the most challenging rescues—ready for whenever another pup finds themselves in need.
