Courtmacsherry RNLI rescues Bonnie the dog from strong tides

Courtmacsherry RNLI's volunteers were alerted just after 4pm this afternoon (Wednesday 29 November), by two people on the shore who observed that a dog had got into difficulties on the sandbank off Burren Rock in Courtmacsherry Bay and was in grave danger of being washed away in a strong running tide.

Immediately the lifeboat pagers were activated by Lifeboat Operations Manager Brian O'Dwyer and within minutes the rigid inflatable station house boat was launched with station Coxwains Ken Cashman and Mark John Gannon onboard. Assisting as well were many more crew members who responded quickly to the call out.

The lifeboat very quickly reached the area where the dog was struggling in the water channel currents. With the further assistance of a local man in another small craft, the lifeboat crew were able to coax the dog towards the lifeboat and finally crew memner Mark John was able to catch the shocked dog and bring him to the safety of the lifeboat. The crew returned quickly to the lifeboat slipway where further crew members assisted with the safe landing of dog Bonnie to dry land.

Shortly afterwards the owners of Bonnie arrived as they had been looking for their precious sheepdog for many hours, as he had been frightened by other dogs in the locality around mid-day. The relieved owners were reunited with Bonnie and were high in praise of the great work done so quickly by the lifeboat crew.

Vincent O'Donovan, Courtmacsherry RNLI Deputy Launching Authority and Lifeboat Press Officer said: 'Great praise must go to the two concerned ladies on the shore today who alerted the authorities immediately when they spotted the dog in difficulty and the fast response of the lifeboat crew which ensured that Bonnie was reached before being taken out to sea. It was so great to see the joy on the owners faces on being reunited with Bonnie and thus a very happy ending for all concerned.'

Ends

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