‘Fractures, hypothermia, and internal injuries are common in canine patients who have fallen from a height’
Toby showing his support for the RNLI and underlining the dog safety message(Image: RNLI/Nathan Williams)
An East Yorkshire veterinary practice is urging dog owners to take extra care when walking their pets near cliffs. Aldgate Vets, based in Bridlington, sees a surge in cases related to cliff incidents at this time of year, due to an influx of holidaymakers and an increase in dog owners heading to scenic coastal walking routes as the weather gets warmer.
Lucy Butler, practice director and vet, said: “We have seen first-hand the heart-breaking consequences of cliff-related incidents. Many of these situations are preventable with simple precautions and greater awareness.
“Around this time of year, we see more dogs coming into the practice with injuries as a result of falling near the cliffs. Fractures, hypothermia, and internal injuries are common in patients who have fallen from a height.
“We strongly advise that dogs are kept on a lead at all times when walking near cliffs. Even the most obedient dogs can become distracted, follow a scent and misjudge the edge of a cliff – and don’t throw balls or sticks near the cliff as certain breeds of dog will risk their life to catch a ball.
“If your dog is struggling in the water, call the RNLI (999 and ask for the Coastguard) and they will send a team out to help.” According to the Bridlington RNLI, 50 per cent of people who get into trouble in the water never intended to get wet when they went out that day and many of these were dog walkers.
Bob Taylor, RNLI Bridlington’s water safety officer, said: “There were 400 drownings in the UK last year; 200 of those didn’t intend to get wet. Many of these people were walking their dog and went after them when they ended up in the water.
“There are a lot of rescues happening every year due to dogs getting into trouble on the cliffs. In 2025, our crews across the UK rescued almost 200 dogs who got into trouble at the coast,” said Bob. “And please do not follow your pet; quite often, the dog can get themselves out of the water if they have fallen.
“Cold water shock sets in instantly for humans and you become another casualty. If your dog is struggling in the water, the RNLI will go out and rescue them. Don’t jump in and try to save them yourself.”
Aldgate Vets had a case last year where a dog which had gone off the edge of a cliff landed half way down and, although not visible by sight, he was wearing a tracker and was able to be located and rescued by the Coastguard team. “Trackers can be really useful when walking your dog and in this instance, having a tracker on meant this dog could be found relatively quickly and treated as quickly as possible,” Lucy said.
For both Aldgate Vets and the Bridlington RNLI, the message is simple:
- Keep your dog on a lead when walking near the cliffs
- In high winds, be extra-cautious and avoid walking too close to them
- Don’t jump in/follow dogs down a cliff
- If your dog gets into trouble, move into a safe place
- If you’re worried about your dog, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
Giles Moore, Aldgate Vets practice director and vet, said: “We want everyone to continue enjoying our stunning coastline but we want to ensure dog owners keep safety at the forefront of their minds and understand the very real risks our scenic coastlines have.” Aldgate Vets has chosen the Bridlington branch of the RNLI to be its charity partner for 2026.
The vet practice will do a number for charity fundraising events to raise vital funds for the charity. “We are based on the coast and feel passionate about supporting our local community,” said Giles.
Laura Crossland, Aldgate Vets operations manager, said: “The money raised will be used to support this local branch and we are aiming to raise enough to buy new suits for the team. There’s a good community feel about this partnership – we can’t wait to see what we can achieve.
“And by working together with organisations like the RNLI, we hope to spread an important message: understand the risks, and take steps to protect both yourself and your pets when walking in our local area.”
Aldgate Vets runs an emergency 24/7 practice. You can call 01262 677269 or visit aldgatevet.co.uk
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