We only share good news here: a roundup of happy, hopeful stories for pet lovers.
- Who: Jimmy, a nine-year-old black and white Border Collie
- Where: Bells Beach, near Torquay on Victoria's Surf Coast
- When: 19 October 2019
- Happy ending: rescued unhurt by the CFA and SES, then back with his family
Jimmy the Border Collie is rescued from a Bells Beach cliff
Jimmy is a nine-year-old Border Collie from nearby Jan Juc, and on 19 October 2019 he found himself on a narrow ledge about 20 metres down a cliff at Bells Beach, with the surf rolling in below. Passers-by spotted him and rang triple zero (000), and the call went out just after 12:30pm.
Six CFA vehicles attended, joined by the SES and Geelong City firefighters. First, the crews had to push through thick scrub to reach a safe spot above the cliff. Then came a high-angle rope rescue: a CFA officer was lowered down the cliff on a series of ropes, fastened Jimmy into a harness, and the pair were hauled back up together. Jimmy was at the top by about 3pm, frightened but not injured.
His family said they didn't even know he was missing until emergency workers contacted them, and that he seemed very happy to be back in the car park. The local CFA commander, Mark Sinkinson, said the team took the dangers seriously and treated the job as valuable training too, since people have needed rescuing from these cliffs before. His guess was that Jimmy would spend the evening resting by the fire.
Video: Voice of America.
Chill Wag tip of the fortnight
Spring walks by the coast or bush are the best, and a few small habits keep them relaxed. Keep your dog on a lead near cliff edges, make sure their ID tag and microchip details are up to date, and pack a leak-proof water bottle with a built-in bowl for the way back. If your dog ever does get stuck somewhere high, call 000 and let trained crews do the climbing. Then everyone can enjoy the view.
More happy reading
- Valerie the dachshund is found safe after 529 days on Kangaroo Island
- 10 ways to keep your dog cool in an Australian summer
Sources: CFA Victoria news report and Pedestrian.TV (20 October 2019), summarised in our own words.
This roundup is general information, not veterinary advice.