Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards and a RNLI lifeboat were called out on Tuesday evening (February 20th) after a dog over the steep cliffs at Brean Down.
Coastguards were called out at 6.35pm to reports of a person attempting to find their Boxer dog that had fallen off the southern side of Brean Down.
A Coastguard spokesman said: “The dog was last seen at Trig point, where it had chased the goats that live on the Down and disappeared out of sight.”
“Despite the owner chasing after the dog, it had gone. They had been admiring the sunset from the fort and were just returning to their car when it happened.”
“Two Coastguard team members kitted up with life jackets for a search along the base of the Down but due to the incoming tide and risk of getting cut off they returned to the safety of the beach.”
The other team members who were on the top of the Down performed a last known position search, and two search teams also performed a foot search from the steps to the Trig point covering the northern and southern sides of the Down.
“Milford Haven Operations Room also tasked Weston lifeboats to carry out a search of the Down where our team members were unable to reach once the tide had come in.”
“After a thorough search they discovered the lifeless body of the Boxer Dog and recovered it back to the shore where they handed it over to our waiting Coastguards. The dog was then handed over to the emotional owners who were very grateful for our assistance. A sad ending to an enjoyable family walk.”
Coastguards said it is so important to keep dogs on a lead on high ground.
“So many owners including this one tell us how obedient their dog is, and how they never chase goats, rabbits or even run off. Dog owners who lose their dog over the side should not try and follow it as they may become a casualty themselves.”
Pictured: The search on Brean Down on Tuesday evening (photos Burnham-On-Sea Coastguard)
