Dog dramatically rescued from cliffs in Howth by Coast Guard

A DOG was dramatically rescued from cliffs in Howth by the Coast Guard this afternoon.

At midday, the Irish Coast Guard team in Howth were alerted by the operations centre to reports of a dog trapped on sea cliffs at Balscaden on Howth Head.

The dog, Hooch, a 12-year-old boxer, had fallen 15 meters into the water and then scrambled back up rocks where he was stuck on a ledge. His barks had been heard by walkers and paddle boarders who alerted the Coast Guard.

A Coast Guard cliff rescue team from the Howth station were training nearby and were tasked to the scene. Paddle boarders on the water assisted the Coast Guard team with the dog’s location. It was deemed safer by the team to extract to the top rather than lower Hooch to a boat.

A rescue climber was lowered and the unit’s animal rescue bag was deployed to bring the canine back to safety. The Coast Guard team then hauled the rescue climber and the dog back to safety.

Hooch was slightly shaken by the ordeal but otherwise in good spirits.

A Coast Guard spokesperson said dog owners were encouraged not to attempt dangerous rescues but instead to call them on 112/999.