Dog Rescue Drama on Capel-le-Ferne Cliff
Sarah Wilson and her partner Luke Hooker, both 58, faced a terrifying ordeal when their three-year-old dog Bear vanished during a walk near Old Dover Road, Capel-le-Ferne, Folkestone. The couple was walking Bear and their other dog, Alfie, when Bear suddenly went missing.
Sarah, from Whitstable, described the moment panic hit. “Straight away I just had that horrible sick, sinking feeling in my stomach and just pure panic. I then heard this loud barking and realised what had happened.”
Firefighters Launch Dramatic Cliff Rescue
Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) sprang into action at around 6.50pm on 7 March, sending three fire engines, a technical rescue team, and a technical rope team. They joined forces with HM Coastguard to find Bear.
- Fire crews used a drone equipped with thermal imaging in the darkness.
- The heat scan revealed Bear trapped in thick gorse on a steep cliff face.
- A path was cleared down the cliff to reach him safely.
Bear was rescued and returned to Sarah’s arms shortly after 11pm, ending a nerve-wracking night.
Owner Urges Fellow Dog Walkers to Stay Alert
Still shaken, Sarah urges caution for all who walk pets near cliffs. She explained:
“It had been a really lovely walk and both dogs had been impeccably behaved. I can only imagine Bear saw or smelt something and ran off, and I hadn’t realised his lead wasn’t fully secure.”
She added: “From now on, both dogs will be wearing harnesses on walks and I’ll be double-checking their collars and leads before setting off. It all happened so quickly and just goes to show how important it is to take extra precautions.”
“I’d absolutely urge all other dog owners to do the same. I dread to think what could’ve happened, and I’m just relieved Bear is home and safe. I’m so grateful to the crews for rescuing him. They were fantastic and helped to keep us all calm. I can’t thank them enough.”
Fire Station Chief Warns: Don’t Risk Your Life for Pets
KFRS Station Manager Chris Redmond praised the partnership with HM Coastguard:
“We’re really pleased we were able to work together to rescue Bear and return him to his owner.”
He added a sharp warning for dog owners:
“Sarah had done the right thing by keeping both dogs on their leads, and what happened was an unfortunate accident.
“It’s a reminder for all dog owners to take extra care around steep heights or water, and to stay well back from cliff edges. Please don’t attempt to rescue your pet in dangerous situations, as you could also end up needing to be rescued – instead, please call 999.”
