Cliff plunge dog rescued after cry for help from sheep

A dog that disappeared over a clifftop in West Dorset was found two days later  thanks to a sheep. Dobby, the one-year-old labrador-pointer cross vanished after she was startled, by another sheep, while she and her owners Holly Chugg Jones and partner Julian Light were walking between Seatown and Eype on Sunday night.

Coastguards joined the search that night and the next day, but there was no sign of the boisterous young pet. Distraught, Holly and Julian had to return to their home in Bristol. But on Tuesday night a report was made to coastguard control of possible shouts for help from the same area.



The Lyme Regis RNLI Lifeboat which was at sea nearby on training was tasked to investigate. On scene the lifeboat crew could find no people in difficulty but did spot a black labrador halfway up the cliff. Two lifeboat crew members who went ashore also spotted what they thought was a black dog, which turned out to be Dobby.

Meanwhile, a coastguard shore team was alerted and the lifeboat stood off to assist them with directions to the source of the ‘cries’ from the shoreline. It was believed the cry for help was the bleating of a sheep. Dobby was recovered by coastguards and was reunited with her relieved family. “It is fair to say we were all rather overexcited,” said Julian. “Dobby seems fine, although she is looking a bit thin.”