Too big for a doggy bag... 10st cliff fall Baloo saved
RESCUERS called to pluck a dog off the side of a cliff were stunned to find Baloo, a giant Newfoundland.
Nurse Louise Bull-Tyagi’s pet was too massive for their animal rescue bag and had to be pulled to safety with ropes.
The pair had been out for a walk at Orcombe Point, near Exmouth, Devon, when 10st Baloo went over the edge and came to rest 50ft below.
Louise, 34, from Birmingham, was only down for a brief visit helping her parents, who are self-isolating.
She said: “Baloo was off her lead and as we went round the bend she just went straight for the edge of the cliff.
“I wasn’t able to control her and stupidly thought I would be able to go and get her.
“I don’t know what I was thinking to be honest – I was never going to be able to do that!
“I knew straight away I was in trouble and called the
Coastguard to give them my location.”
She was able to let them know her precise position using the map-finder app What3Words, a programme recommended by the emergency services.
It works by pinpointing the exact location of the lost user down to a 9ft square and assigns a unique set of three words which can then be given to the 999 operator.
It saves finding any complicated map co-ordinates and aids a quick recovery.
Coastguard teams from Beer and Exmouth as well as the
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service attended the scene to rescue Baloo on Sunday morning.
Terry Hoar, from Beer coastguard, said: “The lady was walking with her dog when it decided to take her for a walk itself.
“She tried to control it but given the size, she had no chance really and it went right over the edge.
Louise said: “I’m so grateful they rescued me and Baloo. I’m very embarrassed – but really can’t express how wonderful they are.”