Dog survives cliff plunge (From Western Telegraph)

Dog survives cliff plunge

A dog who plunged 40 feet down a cliff on to a beach between Tenby and Saundersfoot is making a good recovery after a rescue mission involving coastguards, lifeboatmen and a vet.

Alsatian bitch Sas took her mighty tumble as she ran excitedly ahead of her family as they made their way down a steep path. She fell on to the shore on the beach near Lodge Valley and it was originally feared she had broken both her back legs.

Her family, who were staying at the nearby Trevayne camping site, contacted coastguards, and Tenby inshore lifeboat was launched to pinpoint the exact position of the incident.

Tenby coastguard rescue team was directed to the spot, and made its way through the woods and down to the beach with rescue equipment. Meanwhile, the lifeboat returned to Tenby to collect local veterinary surgeon Chris Kirner and ferry him to the beach.

Mr Kirner assessed eight-year-old Sas's injury and sedated her, before she was placed in the coastguard recovery stretcher and carried to the lifeboat to be transported to Tenby harbour and onwards to the veterinary surgery in Marsh Road, Tenby.

There, a detailed examination revealed no sign of fractures, and it was thought she had become immobile due to spinal shock.

Commented coastguard sector officer Dave Miller: "It was very fortunate that the dog survived the fall, and we were pleased that her owners acted so promptly and contacted the coastguard."

The incident took place on August 10th, and Sas and her family have now returned home to Wolverhampton.