Dog rescue for Swanage RNLI’s first callout of 2025

Harley the dog was lucky to survive after falling 120 feet over the cliff at Old Harry in Studland, Dorset and was fortunate to be safely rescued by the Swanage lifeboat crew.

The incident which happened around 1.30 pm on Saturday 4th January 2025, was the first callout for Swanage RNLI of the year, but the second for Swanage Coastguard, supported by St Albans Coastguard.

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Dog rescue by coastguard and swanage lifeboat
Swanage Coastguard

Harley, a springer dog, who had not been on a lead, fell off the cliff onto a rocky beach

Sheer drop

On arriving at Old Harry, the Swanage Coastguard team was able to spot the spaniel on the rocky beach below the sheer drop.

While the coastguard team is equipped to scale down cliffs, on this occasion it was decided safer to call out Swanage RNLI, who could use its D Class inshore lifeboat to get close into the cove and pick up Harley.

Meanwhile another disaster was only just prevented.

Swanage Coastguard reported:

“Whilst awaiting the arrival of the Swanage inshore lifeboat, another collie type dog narrowly avoided running off the cliff edge because they too were not on a lead. 

“It was only the quick actions of the coastguard officers, who grabbed the dog, which prevented this.

Dog rescue by coastguard and swanage lifeboat
Swanage RNLI

The Swanage inshore lifeboat was launched and headed over towards Old Harry rocks

Dog rescue by coastguard and swanage lifeboat
Swanage Coastguard

Arriving at the cove, only accessible by sea, one of the lifeboat crew waded to the shore to rescue Harley

“None the worse for the ordeal”

The lifeboat crew was paged and launched the lifeboat at 2.16 pm, heading towards Studland. Swanage RNLI, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2025, reported:

“Once round the choppy seas off Old Harry and safely into Studland Bay, the crew was directed to the area where the dog had fallen. 

“The dog was quickly located, taken aboard the inshore lifeboat and taken to South Beach to be reunited with its owner, seemingly none the worse for the ordeal.”

Dog rescue by coastguard and swanage lifeboat
Swanage Coastguard

Harley had fallen around 120 feet or 35 metres to the rocky shoreline below

Visitors at OldHarry Rocks
Library image / Caroline ABBOTT

Many appear unaware of the danger of the sheer drop from the eroding chalk cliffs at Old Harry for both people and dogs

“Keep dogs on leads near cliff edges”

Swanage Coastguard added:

“At this time, we do not believe Harley suffered any major injuries from the fall, although the owners were encouraged to take Harley to a vet immediately.

“We would like to take this opportunity to remind the public to keep dogs on leads near cliff edges. It only takes seconds for your family walk to end in disaster and even the most well behaved dog can become distracted by a scent or wildlife.

“If the worst does happen, call 999 and ask for the coastguard just like the owner of Harley did.”

Watch Swanage RNLI’s first launch of 2025

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