A springer spaniel was rescued off St Bees after it got into difficulty.
The dog was in the water by Sea Mill Lane and the Coastguard was called as it looked likely a rescue attempt would be staged by the owner and concerned passers-by.
When a member of St Bees RNLI shore crew arrived, no one had entered the water except someone in an inflatable canoe, who was in the area trying to find the dog.
The dog was about 100m offshore and 300m south of Sea Mill Lane, moving south with the outgoing tide.
With St Bees RNLI preparing to launch, the dog was struggling to be able to constantly keep its head above water.
Members of Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team made sure that no one was trying to go in for the dog and put themselves at risk.
Coastguard rescue officers already equipped for a water rescue headed along the rocks to the nearest point of the dog.
The dog had made some progress against the outgoing tide and was less than 50m from the shoreline, but visibly exhausted, a Coastguard rescue swimmer was deployed on a tethered line and waded out to rescue the dog. The dog was safely recovered ashore to the owners, visibly shaken from its ordeal but otherwise safe and unharmed.
Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team said: “We understand the rescue of pets is an emotive issue and it’s hard for the owners and public to think straight and not put themselves in danger and become a casualty themselves from the likes of cold water shock.
“Thankfully on this occasion, the owners and public done exactly the right thing and raised the alarm to the coastguard, didn’t enter the water and awaited our arrival. A safe outcome all around.”
