The Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team was called out shortly after 5pm this evening to reports of a dog stuck in the harbour at Irvine and unable to get out.
(Photo: Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team Facebook)
The team was tasked and responded immediately due to the risk of members of the public potentially putting themselves in danger trying to effect a rescue and were quickly on scene at the harbour side.
The dog was quickly located trapped underneath the harbour and it quickly became obvious the dog had been in the water for sometime and was nearing the point of exhaustion.
The team deployed a water rescue operator (armed with doggy biscuits kindly provided by a member of the public) into the habour with other team members providing safety cover and a floating line ready to attach to the dog which appeared to wearing a harness.
The water rescue operator cautiously approached the frightened pup who was more than happy to be rescued, with a floating line being attached to its harness and carefully recovered to the quayside a short distance away.
Once safely on dry land, the pup was wrapped up in a dog blanket kindly donated by another concerned member of the public and slowly showed signs of improvement and very quickly turned into a lively little bundle of fun.
The team contacted Irvine Police Office who had space in their kennels and also a chip scanner with the SSPCA also being contacted to attend at the police office to check on the welfare of our new four-legged friend.
The dog was then conveyed to Irvine Police Office while enjoying the heating in our new L200 Coastguard Rescue Vehicle and left in the care of the Police and the SSPCA.
A spokesperson for the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team said: "This was a successful and well rehearsed rescue operation albeit the casualty was a bit smaller and furrier than we are used to.
"We are grateful for the help provided by the members of the public who provided dog snacks and blankets which made the overall rescue that little bit easier. We would also like to thank the first informant who done the right thing by contacting the Coastguard.
"Dogs are wonderful animals and there's always a human instinct to try and help when they are injured or in trouble however this can quickly lead to people also getting into difficulty themselves - especially if they enter the water.
"We would always urge the public to keep themselves safe and never attempt a rescue by themselves in these circumstances and always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."
We hope our four-legged friend makes a full recovery and isn't too traumatised by the sight of Coastguard Rescue Officers in full water rescue equipment.
Article: Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team
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