COASTGUARDS REMIND DOG OWNERS NOT TO PUT THEMSELVES IN DANGER

Humber Coastguard is again urging dog owners not to put themselves at risk by trying to save their pet.

The warning comes after the rescue of a pitbull terrier this afternoon who jumped into the water at Seaham Pier, County Durham.
Humber Coastguard received a 999 call just before 1pm by a passer by who spotted the dog in the water and the worried owner on shore. The Seaham Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the scene, along with the Sunderland RNLI inshore lifeboat. As rescue units were en route, the owner said she was going to go into the water to rescue her pet, but she was discouraged from doing so over concerns for her safety. Soon after, the dog was pulled from the water and brought back to shore by the lifeboat.
Graham Dawson, Watch Manager at Humber Coastguard, said:
“The owner was worried about her pet and told emergency services that she was going to enter the water to try to rescue her dog. This is something we strongly advise against, as you are likely to get into difficulty yourself. We find that most dogs manage to get themselves back to shore safe and well, but some owners do not.
“We’d also encourage owners to keep their pets on a lead. But if they do enter the water or fall down a cliff edge, please call 999 straight away and ask for the Coastguard.”

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