Dog owner helped to safety on Rossall beach

A dog owner was helped to safety on a Fylde Coast beach after he attempted to rescue his dog, says the Coastguard.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Apr 2018, 13:45 BST
Updated 16th Apr 2018, 16:51 BST
A dog owner was helped to safetyA dog owner was helped to safety
A dog owner was helped to safety

A Lifeboat was launched on Rossall beach to reports of the owner in the sea on Sunday, April 15 at around 12.30pm.

Rescue teams say the dog, which had been chasing seagulls, became stranded by an incoming tide.

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On seeing the dog in trouble, its owner is said to have entered the water in a bid to save the pet.

The man was then helped to safety along with his dog by a passerby after entering the water up to chest height.

Coastguard teams in the area are now warning members of the public not to enter the sea to save stranded pets.

A spokesman for HM Coastguard Fleetwood said: "Following a 999 call from a member of public, the pagers where activated when a dog was stuck on a sand bank and being surrounded by an incoming tide.

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"As the first volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officer arrived on scene, it was apparent that another member of the public had jumped in to the water and rescued both dog and owner (who was up to their knees in water) and was walking out of the water as the rest of the team arrived.

"The rescuer had taken some water, but despite warnings of secondary drowning declined any further treatment.

"Both rescued owner and dog appeared safe and in good health.

"While we thank the member of the public for going to the assistance of the dog owner, it’s not something we advise as the dog usually gets out of the water as if nothing happened.

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"Many of the team are dog owners ourselves and can understand it’s an emotive subject, but please don’t try to rescue a dog, there is a long history on this coastline of persons drowning while trying to rescue dogs."

A man who witnessed the incident Blake Day said: "There was a little dog who was running in and out of the sea. The last time it went out it went a little bit to far. It was out for around 20 mins following the seagulls around while the owner was shouting it.

"Eventually it started to swim back in and the owner and a lady went in to about chest height to bring the dog in."

RNLI Fleetwood’s ILB was also launched but stood down on route.