English coastguards rescue water-shy dog

[Woodmonkey]

English coastguards rescue water-shy dog

A giant dog with an overwhelming fear of water was rescued from an incoming tide, after English coastguards used a fishing net to pluck it to safety, witnesses said Thursday.

Arnold, a 15-stone (95-kilo) Bernard-mastiff cross, was caught short while being taken for a walk along cliffs near Newquay in Cornwall, southwest England.

The huge hound spotted another dog and followed it down some steps onto Whipsiderry Beach -- just as the tide came in, cutting the ageing animal off from his route back up the cliff.

"The owner told me that the dog hated water and would not even go near a puddle," said eyewitness Terry Barnecutt, describing how nearby Falmouth coastguards were brought in.

"The tide was coming in, and because the dog would not go up the steps the only way off the beach was by lifeboat or helicopter. The guys had to persuade the dog to get onto the fishing net they used to carry him to the lifeboat."

A total of six lifeboat crewmen and coastguards were needed to haul the enormous animal to safety, said a spokesman for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Last year was the RNLI's busiest year for animal rescues in the region: over 12 months it went to the aid of 40 dogs, five horses, four dolphins and 11 sheep.

The Source