1st July 2022. Dog walkers have been given a safety reminder after a dog fell over the cliff at Hengistbury Head.

The Southbourne Coastguard Rescue Team were called out to rescue Toby the spaniel, who went over the cliff edge outside the National Coastwatch Institution lookout at Hengistbury Head this morning.

The volunteer watchkeepers at Hengistbury Head were alerted to the incident upon hearing frantic whistles and calling, prompting them to investigate. They arrived at the scene to discover Toby stuck halfway down the cliff, scared but uninjured. They contacted HM Coastguard who tasked the Southbourne Coastguard Rescue Team to assist. The Rescue Team deployed to the scene and were able to rescue the dog by lowering him to the beach where he was reunited with his owner.. 

Following the incident, the NCI Hengistbury Head team issued an important reminder to dog walkers. In a post on Facebook post, a spokesperson said: "I know we repeat this message but we do so for a reason. Please keep your dogs on a lead on the cliff top. Toby was lucky today, but others haven’t been so fortunate in the past. A good outcome today. Well done to all involved."

(The photograph of the Rescue Team in action is by NCI Hengistbury Head)