THE owners of a dog who cheated death after plunging 130 foot over a cliff today spoke of their amazement that she managed to survive with just a scratch.

Holidaymakers Paul Knight, his wife June, and their 14-year-old son Steven were walking their six-year-old Airedale Jessie along a coastal path at Rope Lake Head, near Kimmeridge, when catastrophe struck.

Cash register distributor Paul, from Southend in Essex, said: "Jessie suddenly took a left-hand turn through the tall grass at the edge of the cliff. We called her but she didn't come.

"I ended up hanging over the edge of the cliff to look for her with my wife and son hanging on to my ankles."

The family feared their beloved pet - whom they had brought up from a puppy - was dead, but then caught a glimpse of her sitting at the bottom of the sheer drop.

Paul and Steven rushed to get help and a passer-by lent them his mobile phone to alert the coastguard.

The coastguard rescue helicopter found black and tan Jessie, but attempts to airlift her failed because she would not allow any of the rescuers to handle her. So they collected Paul from a spot nearby and landed him on the beach near to Jessie.

He said: "When I got to her she was very shocked but didn't appear to have sustained any serious injuries. We expected her to have at least broken bones."

Paul believes that Jessie could not see the cliff edge because it was hidden by long grass.

He thanked the coastguards for their help and warned dog owners to keep pets on leads while walking on cliff tops. Jessie was kept in overnight at Lynwood Veterinary Group in Wareham and veterinary nurse Jo Loader said: "Jessie has been very brave and it's amazing she is as well as she is."