THE RNLI Penlee all-weather lifeboat was launched to assist with a dog which had gone over a cliff between Rinsey and Porthleven.

Penlee’s Ivan Ellen was launched just after 11am yesterday (Wednesday, July 9) under coxswain Patch Harvey with a crew of five volunteers and raced to Rinsey Head where the search for the missing dog would begin.

After some time searching the dog was located at Parc Trammel Cove near Porthleven where the cliff rescue team had also attended but the cove appeared inaccessible from above.

Patch dispatched Ivan Ellen’s Y-boat with volunteers Lewis William and Chris Davey aboard. They approached the dog, a chocolate labrador called Nutmeg which had some cuts and bruises to its face but otherwise seemed unhurt.

Chris Davey carried Nutmeg to the Y-boat and they returned to the Ivan Ellen, where Nutmeg was treated to blankets, water and a check over.

Because of low tide at Porthleven the Y-boat was relaunched and took Nutmeg into the harbour to be reunited with its owner who was ‘very thankful’.

An RNLI Penlee spokesperson said: “The RNLI rescues animals because there have been many tragic incidents where people have got into difficulty after entering the sea to rescue an animal.

“We would always advise owners or members of the public who see an animal struggling in the sea to call on our help instead of going to the rescue and putting themselves at risk.

“It's important to keep yourself safe when you walk your dog.
Keep your dog on a lead when close to cliff edges or fast flowing rivers.


“If your dog goes into the water or gets stuck in mud, don't go after the dog.
Move to a place where your dog can get to safely and call it - It'll probably get out on its own.