Family’ s dog plunges 50ft

AFife family are breathing a sigh of relief after their pet dog was rescued after a 50-foot plunge in a major effort by the emergency services.

The lurcher, named Bobo, went over a cliff edge at Oriel Woods, near Kirkcaldy, while chasing a deer, and became stranded on rocks.

A family member managed to scramble down the drop to reach the dog but they were unable to get him back up and feared he was seriously injured.

Three fire appliances were despatched from Kirkcaldy Fire Station, along with a specialist rope rescue team from Lochgelly Fire Station.

Police and ambulance crews also raced to the scene.

Fifefighters eventually brought Bobo to safety a short time later and his owners were relieved to find he had suffered no more than a few scuffs and scratches.

Posting on social media after the incident, which happened at around 5.30pm on Sunday, Cathy Gowans, said: “Tonight we had the three dogs out at Oriel Woods and Bobo, our lurcher, spotted a deer and ran after it .

“He went up to the top of the cliff and we couldn’t see him.

“He had fallen around 50 feet.”

Cathy added: “We got to him but thought his leg was broken and he couldn’t walk to us.

“The fire brigade got Bobo down and we took him to the vets.

“His leg isn’t broken, he has a few scrapes and is sore but has pain relief and is eating and drinking.

“He is one tough dog, so glad he’s OK.”

A spokesperson for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We received the alert at 5.36pm of a pet, understood to be a dog, having fallen from cliffs in woodland in Kirkcaldy.

“Three appliances were despatched from Kirkcaldy as well as a rope rescue team from Lochgelly to assist in the rescue.

“Firefighters managed to bring the animal to safety and stood down at 6.29pm.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 5.45pm on Sunday February 14 officers were called to assist Scottish Fire and Rescue Services at Oriel Road, Kirkcaldy, with traffic management whilst they dealt with an animal welfare incident.

“The local community are thanked for their patience and co-operation.”

Along-lost cat has returned to its Fife home after going missing nearly four years ago. Bella disappeared from her Dunfermline home in May 2017, on the day her owners returned from a holiday.

However, on Friday January 29 she was found soaking wet and sheltering under a car on Tillicoultry High Street in Clackmannanshire, around 15 miles away.

She has now been reunited with Joel Caldicott and his three sons who were “astonished” to hear the news that Bella would be coming home.

Mr Caldicott said: “Bella went missing on the day we returned home from a holiday in May 2017. We must have just missed her as our friend fed her that morning and we arrived home in the afternoon.

“Sadly, we didn’t see Bella again. We had to tell our sons, who were all under 10 years old at the time, that Bella wasn’t coming back. That was very difficult for all of us.

“When Kelly (Mcguire) phoned out of the blue to tell us that Bella had been found after almost four years missing we were completely shocked but elated too.

“Our sons are just thrilled to have Bella back. Especially one of the boys as Bella has adopted his room as her own.

“She was a bit unsure for the first few days but now it’s like she’s never been away.

“We are really thankful to Kelly and the Scottish SPCA for bringing Bella back home – it’s like the happy ending of a Disney film.”

Bella had been microchipped, with contact details up to date, meaning the animal welfare charity could care for her until the Caldicotts were contacted.

Ms Mcguire, a Scottish

SPCA animal rescue officer, said: “Bella was found on Tillicoultry High Street soaking wet and sheltering under a car.

“The member of the public who found her took her home and called our helpline. When I collected Bella, she was quite thin but otherwise appeared to be in good health.

“Thankfully, she was

microchipped and the details were up to date so I contacted the number provided.

“I was shocked to hear she had been missing since 2017. How she travelled over 15 miles from Fife to Clackmannanshire is anyone’s guess.

“The Caldicotts were over the moon to have her back.”

ON THEIR WAY: Emergency services respond after Bobo becomes stranded.

HOME AGAIN: Bella is back with the family and none the worse for her absence.