Life on the edge with RSPCA rope rescue team

Number of animal cliff rescues on the increase

07.10.11

We rescue a stricken animal from perilous cliff ledges and isolated mountainsides approximately once every two-and-a-half days, according to new statistics revealed today.

Walkers enjoying coastal paths around England and Wales have been urged to keep their dogs on leads, after it was revealed RSPCA rescue teams collected 140 animals from cliffs in 2010, compared to 136 in 2009 and 116 in 2008.

And at the end of June this year, we had already rescued 73 animals.
 

Many farm animals are spooked by dogs off lead  

In our latest podcast episode, RSPCA Inspector Richard Abbott - a specially trained rope rescue expert who has carried out more than 100 such rescues in the past 15 years - warns dog walkers that livestock scared by their pets can often become stranded on isolated ledges.

By law, dogs must be kept under close control so that they do not disturb or frighten farm animals or wildlife. Keeping dogs on a lead when near farm animals can really help to prevent incidents like this. 

Richard says:

The majority of sheep will have been driven off the edge of a cliff by a dog.

It could be that the dog was in perfect control by the owner, but off the lead. That will be enough to frighten that sheep over the edge of the cliff.

I think it is very frustrating, speaking to farmers, how often they see people walking with dogs on the coastal paths, with a dog not on the lead.

I think the most important message is for people to put their dog on a lead, under control, especially when there are sheep around.

All in a day's work for our expert rope rescue teams 

RSPCA inspectors who join the rope rescue teams go through rigorous training to prepare themselves for recovering livestock, pets and wildlife safely from dangerous situations.

Often they have to abseil down cliff faces and mountainsides hundreds of feet high to reach the stricken animals.

However, rope rescues are only part of their daily duties as RSPCA inspectors, which sees them investigate allegations of cruelty and help all types of animal in need.

 

If an animal is in danger 'we will do what we can to rescue it'

Richard added:

You do get some people who think it is a lot of fuss for a sheep, while other people are relieved that you are there and doing something about it.

We are the RSPCA though. It doesn't matter what animal it is to us. If it is in a place of jeopardy or danger then we will do what we can to rescue it.

Find out more

• Hear more from Richard in our latest podcast episode and learn more about life as a member of an RSPCA rope rescue team.
   
• Watch our rescue footage and see for yourself how dramatic our animal cliff rescues can be.