Walton: Dog walkers' cliff warning

From the archive, first published Thursday 12th Apr 2007.

COASTGUARDS are warning dog owners to keep their pets on leads when walking close to cliffs in Walton.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it wants to remind dog owners of the risks not only to their dogs but to themselves, when walking close to cliff edges.

The warning follows three incidents within 24 hours in which coastguards were called upon to help dogs that had gone over cliffs and needed rescuing.

Keith Cattermole, watch manager at Thames Coastguard, based in Walton, said: "Although these incidents did not happen in this area it highlights a potentially hazardous problem for dog walkers walking on The Naze.

"We would like to reiterate that dog owners keep their pets on leads while on the cliffs in order to prevent any potential accidents."

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency issued the warning following the incidents in Portland, Dorset, in which one dog needed to be stretchered to safety and another pet required rescuing by lifeboat.

A spokesman for agency said: "The Coastguard is always happy to attend an incident where an animal needs assistance if it has gone over the cliff as we would not want its owner to put themselves at risk, and then have to rescue not only the dog but the owner too.

"However, these three incidents have required a large number of volunteers to assist with the rescue, and we must urge the public most strongly to put their dogs on leads when by the cliff edge, so as to avoid any incident occurring."