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Warning issued after dog falls from cliff at Langdon Bay near Dover

00:00, 29 July 2016

updated: 11:16, 29 July 2016

A dog has died after falling off cliffs at Langdon Bay, nearly taking its owner with it.

The incident - one of many in recent weeks - has prompted a warning from the RNLI.

Dover RNLI picked up a border collie that had gone over the cliffs at Langdon Bay on Monday, June 27, at about 3.45pm.

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Dover RNLI sent to rescue dog from the cliffs at Langdon Bay
Dover RNLI sent to rescue dog from the cliffs at Langdon Bay

The pet had been taken off the lead in a field but the owner then walked to the cliff edge to have a look at the view, and was still holding the stick the collie had been playing with.

Mr Pavitt said: “The dog saw the stick from across the field, came running towards her, jumped and grabbed the stick and the momentum kept it going. Luckily, she didn’t have a tight grip otherwise she could have gone as well.”

The dog died on impact.

The owners were from Reigate, Surrey, and visiting friends in Staple.

Over the past two months, both Dover and Walmer RNLI have been called out to people who were cut off by the tide between Dover and St Margaret’s.

A month ago, 34 Jewish students were rescued, and last week 10 German teenagers were also endangered by the rapidly encroaching tide.

WATCH: The RNLI crew try to rescue the dog

Mr Pavitt said: “Every year we get people slip and fall and the coastguard and lifeboat are sent to rescue them when it could have been avoided.”

Ed Baker, press officer for Dover lifeboat station, has also warned about walking along the cliffs around Langdon Bay.

The route, known locally as the zig-zag path, has become too dangerous to walk after a severe cliff fall last year.

He said: “If people do walk along that route you need to allow for the tide. You can walk there at your own risk, climbing over about 10 cliff falls. It’s very dangerous.

“The message is, don’t walk along the bottom of the cliff, walk along the top at a safe distance from the edge of the cliffs and keep dogs on leads.”

Trying to locate the Collie
Trying to locate the Collie

He explained that the surface is very rough and people have to walk over rocks and cliff falls which lead to slipping or tripping. Often they are then caught out by the incoming tide and can become stuck.

Mr Baker said: “RNLI’s clear message is ‘don’t get cut off by the tide’. There are about 200 deaths around the coastline each year from slips, trips and falls.”

This was very distressing for the owners and the crew.

Mr Baker added the message is to keep dogs on leads along the cliff tops and don't walk too close to the edge, maintain control and refrain dogs from running around.

If you unfortunately end up in a similar situation along the coast ring 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

The RNLI’s Respect the Water campaign aims to halve the number of coastline fatalities.

The National Trust has also invested cash on warning signs along the coastline. The message is to heed these warnings, and stay safe.

For more information see the RNLI Dover Lifeboat Station Facebook page.

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