Missing dog rescued from cliff face

Monday 05 June 2023

A cocker spaniel who was missing for nearly a day has been found on the south coast cliffs after a joint rescue operation involving the Channel Islands Air Search, the RNLI, Cliff Rescue Team, and others.

The GSPCA was involved first after a call from Albie's worried owners last night.

The brown pup had gone missing while on a walk on Sunday afternoon.

Pictured: Albie the lost dog, in photos provided to the GSPCA by his family.

He had been spotted around half way between Icart Point car park and La Jaonnets Bay by some kayakers which helped the animal welfare charity focus their initial searches in that area.

The owner and GSPCA members walked along the path and could hear barking but couldn't see Albie. They were joined in the early search efforts by the coastguard and some other members of the public but they had to stop at nightfall leaving Albie lost on the cliffs for the night.

This morning the search resumed, without any new sightings of Albie to go on. 

The CIAS had a training flight scheduled for lunchtime today so that was co-ordinated to search the south coast cliffs, focusing on the Icart area, where Albie had last been seen.

The GSPCA said that "Albie’s owner is distraught as you can imagine" and that the Coastguard, lifeboat crew, Cliff Rescue team and Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service were also helping in the search - some of whom are specially trained for emergency situations like this.

FANTASTIC NEWS Albie has been rescued thank you all involved and helped pic.twitter.com/BqOxGCST1Z

— gspca (@GSPCA) June 5, 2023

With the CIAS crew ready to look for Albie, he was spotted by the RNLI crew who were in the water already using the inshore lifeboat.

They were able to direct the rescue mission to a spot half way down the cliff near Icart where Albie is thought to have spent the night after landing on a ledge.

As Albie had been located the CIAS team stood down but the lifeboat crew remained in position in the water incase they were needed further. The Cliff Rescue team set up at the top of the cliff to retrieve Albie, with GSPCA team members Geoff George and Neil Hughes stood by in case they were needed.

Mr George said they were thankful that Albie was rescued safely and his owners were near by to take him home. 

“We got to Icart just after 12pm and Cliff Rescue arrived about the same time. They were great and retrieved him once he was located by just around 1pm. The owners were delighted to be reunited with Albie and are so thankful to all that helped find him and with his rescue.”

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager added: “What a worry it was for Albie’s owners over the weekend but thankfully he is now home safe and sound and the owners are delighted.

“We had the report he was missing in the Icart area on Sunday night and we were all worried that there might be those wanted to go out and help look for him and put themselves at risk so all of the emergency services wanted to ensure we did what we could to reduce the risk to human and Albie.

“Even the CI Airseach were going out as part of their training and offered to possibly take myself up to demonstrate their equipment but before we could even get to the airport he was located and the rescue was underway.

“It is always a worry when a beloved pet goes missing and we have a page full of useful information and we are on call to help 24/7 on 257265.

“There are many ways you can help support our vital 24/7 work and donate or raise funds for the hundreds of animals in our care.”