Porthcawl RNLI volunteers were surprised on Saturday (17th July) at the stamina of a springer spaniel that decided to go for an early morning swim!
The crew were tasked at 8.10am after a report Ollie the springer spaniel had gone into the water off Newton Beach and not returned to shore. The charity’s relief D Class lifeboat, Super G II was launched.
An RNLI spokesman said: “The crew carried out a thorough search of the area in calm seas with excellent visibility but despite searching for over an hour, Ollie was not found. Based on the conditions there was a high probability the dog would have been found during the search.“
The lifeboat was stood down and it was now a case of searching for Ollie, who could have come ashore along a two-mile stretch and might have disappeared into the sand dunes of Newton Burrows.
However, the lifeboat crew were shocked at 11.30am when the Coastguard reported a sighting several miles down the coast off Southerndown.
The D Class lifeboat, Super G II was relaunched and raced to the area, where they found Ollie still doing the dog paddle.
The spokesman said: “Although he was a little tired he seemed perfectly happy, having spent several hours at sea.”
If your dog does get into trouble in the water call it from a safe area where it can get out. Never go in after your dog, please dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
