THE Fire Service has warned Islanders about the dangers of “DIY” rescue attempts after dramatic pictures of a dog stuck on a cliff-top ledge were shared on social media.
While expressing pleasure at the successful outcome of the rescue of Jules Barons’ dog, Lily, from the cliffs at Grosnez last week, firefighters said they had watched the drone footage “with hearts in our mouths”.
Lily was rescued by Gail Bennie, a member of the Lost Dogs in Jersey Group, which was called into action and used the drone to locate the dog the morning after she had gone missing.
In a social-media post, the Fire Service stated: “We are rigorously trained and equipped to conduct rescues in this environment and are fully aware of the very real risks it poses.
“The person in the footage took a significant risk in getting down to her, with no safety equipment whatsoever.
“We don’t want to put a dampener on this occasion, but we also don’t want someone else to take it upon themselves to conduct a similar rescue in future and get hurt or killed.”
While some of those responding to the warning defended the rescue mission, Ms Bennie also posted to admit that she should have considered the dangers.
Although feeling that she had not been at risk of falling while scrambling down the steep slope to reach Lily, she added: “They’re absolutely right; it was very dangerous and I should have called them.
“It was very foolish and irresponsible of me to allow drone footage of my walk to the ledge to be made public.
“It made some of the people who watched it feel frightened and uncomfortable, and could encourage others to go out there and do the same, which could be dangerous for them.”
