A LLAINGOCH woman was overjoyed to be reunited with her beloved dog after it was trapped for 24 hours on an Anglesey cliff.
Carol Hughes, desperately searched for cocker spaniel Lyra, aged three, who had been swept down the cliff at Penrhosfeilw, Holyhead and wedged in the gully with a 60ft drop below.
She said: “It was heartbreaking - I never thought that I was going to see her again.
Lyra went missing as Carol walked with the dogs along the range on Friday evening “I was calling and looking but I couldn’t see her anywhere,” she said.
Carol and a friend searched into the early hours of Saturday morning, growing ever more concerned for Lyra.
“The search party for Lyra even included people I didn’t know, such as a family who had read about her plight on Facebook and had turned up the following
day to comb the beach,” added Carol.
Lyra was eventually found by a friend using sound equipment lowered into the gully which captured a faint whimper.
Holyhead Coastguard Rescue Team were then called in to pluck the dog to safety.
“When I realised that she was safe and well, there was just relief and gratitude - I couldn’t believe it,” said Carol.
“I keep looking at her and I can’t believe that she’s here.”
RSPCA inspector Mike Pugh paid tribute to Holyhead Coastguard Rescue Team for their efficiency, compassion and professionalism.
He said: “What a happy ending. “As inspectors we do deal with our fair share of animals rescues, and to be able to call on the help of people like local
coastguards or fire service and their special equipment is a huge help for us.
“Lastly I would just like to ask dog walkers and others out and about in this area to be careful in this particular spot until the collapsed hole at the edge of the cliff is tended to.”