Dog rescued after falling down cliff at man O' War Bay near Durdle Door

Officers from Kimmeridge, Lulworth and Wyke Regis Coastguard Rescue Teams were on their way to assist with a search for a missing person at Rockley Park, Poole yesterday, when the team was diverted to man O'War Bay near Durdle Door.

An officer was lowered down a rope in order to coax 'Milo' the Golden Labrador into a dog rescue bag with treats, before being winched to safety to the relief of a large crowd of concerned onlookers.

A spokesman for Kimmeridge coastguard said: "The busy summer continued again as we were paged at 4.20pm to assist with a large scale incident. Whilst progressing towards Wareham on route to Poole we were retasked to a dog over the cliff at Durdle Door and concerns of crowds gathering.

"In attendance with Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Team a rope rescue was carried out with one of the Lulworth team being lowered 30ft down the cliff.

After using some tasty treats and gain trust in the rescuer, the dog was gently coaxed into the dog rescue bag with the cliff top team bringing the dog and coastguard back up to safety and huge applause from all the onlookers.

"With Milo the dog safe and unharmed and reunited with some very relieved owners, all teams de-rigged the equipment and returned to station. As always we highly advise keeping dogs on leads whenever on a cliff path."

Three coastguard teams joined forces to rescue Milo Picture: Kimmeridge Coastguard

Walkers are now being urged to keep dogs on leads at cliff tops following the rescue.

A spokesman for Lulworth coastguard added: "Members from Lulworth, Kimmeridge and Wyke Coastguard Rescue Teams were tasked to recover Milo the golden Labrador from the cliff at Man O’ War bay yesterday.

"Milo was coaxed into a doggy rescue bag by a cliff technician and recovered to the cliff top none the worse for his ordeal. It is advisable that dogs are kept on a secure leash at all times when being walked on cliff top paths."