Dog survives 120ft fall

A dog was nicknamed Lucky today after surviving a 120ft cliff fall with just a limp.

A woman let both her dogs off the lead as they walked near the Old Harry Rocks beauty spot in Dorset yesterday and Oscar the cocker spaniel fell over the edge.

Her other dog returned to her but Oscar was found by a passer-by and Swanage Coastguards rescued him from the beach along the Jurassic Coast.

Steve Williams, Portland Coastguard watch officer, said: "A lady was walking her dogs on the cliff top. They came to an open area and she let both dogs off. One came back, the other fell over the edge quite a long way - 120ft.

"It wasn't a sheer drop but it probably scrambled down the cliff and landed quite heavily at the bottom.

"A member of the public found the dog and Coastguards from Swanage returned it to the lady.

"Maybe it should be called Lucky to survive with just a limp."

He warned other dog owners not to let their pets off the lead near cliff edges as the animal would not have been as lucky if it had been a sheer drop.

"You wouldn't let your dog off the lead near a busy road - this is just as dangerous," Mr Williams added.