Three people get stuck on cliffs in dog search
A CLIFF rescue team from the Fire and Rescue Service saved a lost dog and three people from the cliffs at Icart yesterday after a two-day search for the missing animal.
Riley the dog went missing during a walk on Tuesday with owner Jose Alvarez. After getting spooked, nine-month-old Riley took off and was not seen again until yesterday afternoon.
‘We were out from two until 10.30pm Tuesday night, and we were back out at 6.30am on Wednesday,’ said Alexandra Wallace, daughter-in-law of owners Jose and Sharon Alvarez.
During the search yesterday, Mr Alvarez spotted Riley on the Icart cliffs. From a distance, Mrs Wallace said Riley had looked like a funny rock.
‘When he looked closer, he knew it was Riley, and he ran down the cliffs to him,’ she said.
Several other members of the search party joined Mr Alvarez and Riley on the cliffs, but three of the party found it impossible to climb back to safety.
The cliff rescue team helped both Riley and the three people off the steep cliffs, calling the resolution ‘a happy Christmas ending indeed.’
Pictures of Riley bundled inside a rescuer’s jacket were posted online to a huge response, and his family have decided to donate a £5,000 reward put forward for the dog's return to the Fire and Rescue Service.
‘Sharon is absolutely delighted to have Riley back,’ said Mrs Wallace. ‘He’s happy and healthy, and running around with his sister at home. There were lots of tears when they were reunited, and we’re so grateful for everyone’s help.’
