A white cockapoo named Maple was rescued about 13:55 GMT on Saturday after falling from a cliff in Scabbacombe, Devon, the Brixham Coastguard Rescue Team said. The animal was located roughly 180m (590ft) below the cliff edge following a search and was retrieved by rescuers. During outdoor activities, dogs can become lost for a variety of reasons, including falling into unfamiliar surroundings or escaping through open doors or weak restraints, which can create easy escape opportunities.

The call prompted a coastal search that placed one dog at the centre of a complex recovery operation. Teams worked to reach the animal on steep, scrub-covered ground and to bring it to safety for veterinary treatment. Pet safety experts recommend that owners keep their pets on a secure leash and collar with ID tags to help prevent such incidents, along with ensuring they are microchipped. Resources are available for pet owners to prevent losing their pets during outdoor activities.

Rescue crews traced Maple’s location down the face of the cliff and lowered a technician through dense bushes and hawthorns to make contact with the dog and secure it for extraction. The Brixham Coastguard Rescue Team conducted the recovery with support from the Torquay Coastguard Rescue Team and the coastguard’s drone team, which assisted with the search effort and offered a bird’s-eye view to spot Maple’s position more easily.

When crews reached Maple, the dog was wet but still wagging its tail, according to the rescue report. After being brought to the surface, Maple was taken to a veterinary clinic where she received stitches; the dog is doing well following treatment, which is encouraging given that survival rates for animals rescued from dangerous situations can vary widely based on factors like injury severity.

The operation involved careful access across hazardous terrain to a point far below the cliff edge. A lowered technician worked through the undergrowth to reach Maple and attach a carrying harness before the ascent back up the slope.

Members of the Brixham Coastguard Rescue Team coordinated the rope and casualty-handling elements of the extraction while the Torquay Coastguard Rescue Team provided additional personnel and resources. The coastguard’s drone team supported the search by helping to pinpoint the dog’s position from above and guiding rescuers to the access route.

Those on scene described the recovery as challenging because of the distance below the cliff and the density of vegetation. Rescuers focused on securing Maple carefully to avoid further injury during the climb back to the clifftop and transfer to veterinary care.

The rescued dog, named Maple, is a cockapoo and was reported as being in good spirits even after the incident. The Brixham Coastguard Rescue Team said Maple received stitches at a vet and was doing well after treatment. This incident highlights the importance of preparedness and safety when taking pets outdoors. Local reporting of the incident is available from Radio Exe, which provided additional details on the rescue operation and the involvement of neighbouring coastguard units.

Wherever incidents like this occur, coastguard teams say coordinated responses combining rope-access skills, drone search capability and veterinary support are key to successful outcomes.

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Original reporting: view the original article.