The drop from the cliff at Dover docks

by Mary Louis

Norman the 18-month-old Weimaraner is recovering at home after plummeting 250ft down a sheer cliff into Dover docks.

That is an incredible 80ft taller than Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square - and almost the height of the Statue of Liberty!

His survival has astounded vets and prompted a warning for dog walkers on the white cliffs: do not let your dog off the lead there.

Norman’s owners Simon Spore and his estate agent fiance Jane Westfield, of Tower Hamlets, Dover, had been shopping in Canterbury when Miss Westfield’s son Josh, 18, took Norman for a walk.

He was on the cliffs directly above the Eastern Docks when Norman took off after a rabbit.

Miss Westfield said: “He went right over the cliffs to the bottom, it is a sheer face, a 250ft , such a long way down.”

Miss Westfield said: “The port police found out Norman had been picked up by workmen.”

His owners went to the police station where they found Norman walking but wobbly and obviously shaken.

They took Norman straight to the White Cliffs Vets at Whitfield. “They were wonderful,” said Miss Westfield. “They put a drip in, got Norman’s heart rate down and did a scan.”

The dog had a collapsed lung so he was taken to Barton Veterinary Hospital in Canterbury for specialist treatment. He had also suffered a fractured hip.

Norman was kept in for a couple of nights and then allowed home for complete sofa rest.

He has made excellent progress, although there is a possibility he may need an operation.

His lung has reinflated and he is now allowed some gentle exercise on the lead, although he remains on a “rest and relaxation” order.

Miss Westfield said: “We would advise other dog walkers to never to let their dogs off the lead on the cliffs.”