Dun Laoghaire RNLI rescues dog after fall from pier leaves him stuck beneath breakwater rocks

Dun Laoghaire RNLI volunteers rescued Thor, a five-year-old black Labrador dog yesterday, after he fell off Dun Laoghaire’s Eastern Marina pier into the rocky breakwater below.

Thor’s owners were enjoying a sunny morning stroll when he unexpectedly thundered headlong onto the rocks some metres below the walkway.

A bystander called 999 at 9.52am to raise the alarm and the inshore lifeboat helmed by Gary Hayes and with three other crew members onboard, launched within five minutes.

Weather conditions at the time were good with plenty of sunshine and a calm sea.

Thor was quickly located by the lifeboat crew.

However, as he had fallen into a small opening and was almost hidden beneath the rocks and had injured his head, it made for a challenging extraction for the crew.

Once he was safely extracted, the Dun Laoghaire RNLI crew brought Thor onboard the lifeboat before reuniting him with his delighted owners.

Speaking following the call out, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Helm Gary Hayes said: “We were delighted to see Thor safely returned to his owners yesterday following his ordeal.

“We would remind anyone walking a dog at the coast to keep them on a lead if close to cliff edges, piers, and paths near the sea.

“If your pet does go into the water or gets stuck in mud, don’t go in after them but rather move to a place where you can safely get to and call them as they may be able to get out themselves.

“If you are worried that your pet may be in danger, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”