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Dog 'lucky to be alive' after tumbling down 250ft cliff while chasing rabbits

What was meant to be a relaxing Father's Day walk for dad-of-two Miles Pettit along the scenic cliffs of the Isle of Man with his pet turned into a daring rescue mission

[Miles Pettit's dog Beatrice]

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Beatrice the dog got a little too excited on the walk (Image: Miles Pettit / SWNS)

A dog is "lucky to be alive" after she plunged 250ft off a cliff after falling while chasing rabbits. Miles Pettit, 44, was enjoying an evening Father's Day walk with his three-year-old Airedale Terrier Beatrice along Marine Drive in Douglas on the Isle of Man at 8:20 pm on Sunday. But all of a sudden, the pooch pounced after some rabbits.

Beatrice disappeared out of sight along the scenic cliffs. And after reaching the edge of the cliff, the dad-of-two said he saw the pup slowly tumble down the mountain until she landed on a steep perch of earth and rock. Miles revealed he only became worried as after a couple of attempts of trying to climb back up Beatrice wasn't making any progress as the ground was breaking beneath her paws.

[Miles Pettit's dog Beatrice]

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Miles is thankful the day didn't end horribly (Image: Miles Pettit / SWNS)

It was only then when Miles, an artisan baker, decided to call the Douglas Coastguard Rescue Team (DCRT).

They were thankfully able to retrieve the "shaken" canine after a daring rescue mission. After initial reports that Beatrice had fallen 100ft, the coastguards confirmed that she had in fact dropped more than twice that distance at 250ft.

[Miles Pettit's dog Beatrice]

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Beatrice was a shaken up by the incident (Image: Miles Pettit / SWNS)

Miles said his dog "is lucky to be alive". He added: "I am really happy she was retrieved - it would have been a terrible way to end what was a lovely day if we hadn't been so lucky.

"The coastguards arrived 20 minutes after my phone call and acted very quickly to save her from dropping further - they did a fantastic job. It was a shock for her (Beatrice) too - she has been very clingy since it happened.

[Miles Pettit and his dog Beatrice]

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The coastguards arrived in time to save the dog (Image: Miles Pettit / SWNS)

"Hopefully she knows better for next time she is chasing a bunny. Fingers crossed she won't be doing it again anytime soon."

A Facebook post from the DCRT later on that evening read: "At 20.20 this evening Douglas Coastguards were called to rescue a dog that had gone over the Marine Drive while chasing rabbits.

Once on scene we were able to establish the dogs location and were quickly able to establish a holdfast to enable us to be able to lower a cliff tech to the dog and recover him.

[Miles Pettit's dog Beatrice]

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Beatrice was clingy after her frightening experience (Image: Miles Pettit / SWNS)

"We are happy to report that the dog was soon back with his owner none the worse for his experience."

One grateful user replied: "Great job.. thank you.. these things happen and our public are very lucky to have you to have our backs."

Another added: "Very very lucky dog. And fantastic job as ever by our coastguards," while other hailed their efforts as "amazing."

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