Tragedy as dog plunges to its death from cliffs at RSPB's well-known Yorkshire seabird reserve

                                                       

A brave rescuer is lowered to where the dog lay - but the initiative proved to be all in vain

THERE has been devastation this week for a family who allowed their dog to run loose near the RSPB seabird reserve at Bempton Cliffs on the Yorkshire Coast.

The animals was mortally wounded  after falling some 100 metres to the beach below.

Bridlington  Coastguard Team have put out a press release on the incident which occurred at lunchtime on Easter Sunday.

"The coastguard team arrived on scene and established the location where the dog had fallen from the cliffs. 

"One of our trained officers was placed on the cliff edge using specialist safety equipment, and the RNLI team at Flamborough was requested to assist. 

"The lifeboat duly  arrived on scene and confirmed that, while they were able to get ashore, they were unable to get the dog back to the vessel for recovery. 

"A rope rescue technician was lowered down the 100 metre chalk cliffs using a rescue system, and he managed to access the pet. 

"Unfortunately due to the height of fall, there was nothing that could be done. 

"The  rescue technician recovered the dog and brought it up the cliff and into the care of its distraught owners." 

The statement concludes: "This is a very distressing incident  and a reminder to all that dogs should never be let off a lead close to the cliff edge."

The breed of dog is not known.

The cliffs provide precious nesting habitat for gannets, fulmars, kittiwakes, puffins, guillemots, razorbills and other species.

The RSPB has not yet commented.

           * Photographs: Bridlington Coastguard Team