Brean Down tragedy just the latest in a series of dog incidents (From This is The West Country)

Brean Down tragedy just the latest in a series of dog incidents

1:00pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News By Matthew Colledge

DOG owners are being urged to take extra care after a beloved pet died after falling down the cliff-face at Brean Down.

A visitor from Bristol was walking his Lurcher at around 4.30pm on Sunday, when it chased off in pursuit of some goats, only to fall down the south side of the cliffs; it died instantly.

Brean beach warden Dave Furber said the owner was distraught.

It was just the latest in a series of incidents involving dogs at Brean Down.

On February 9, Burnham Coastguards were called out following reports a woman had gone off in pursuit of her dog at the base of Brean Down and been stranded by the incoming tide.

Both owner and dog had safely made their way back onto the beach by the time Coastguards arrived.

And in December, two Beagles had to be rescued after one hurt her foot and the other got stuck on the cliffs.

Steve Bird, Burnham Coastguard station officer, told the Weekly News: “There have always been incidents there.

“I have been in the Coastguard for 15 years and it's never been any different.

“We probably do four or five dog rescues a year just on Brean Down.

“It happens up and down the country as well.

“There are enough warning signs at Brean telling people to keep dogs on leads.

“I would just remind people to pay attention to the signs and use common sense.”

Anybody interested in finding out about opportunities with Burnham Coastguard can call Steve Bird on 07967-292614, visit the Burnham Coastguard page on Facebook, or pop along to the Coastguard station on the Esplanade, on a Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm.