Dog sparks dramatic rescue mission after chasing favourite ball into Scots gorge

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A daft dog sparked a desperate rescue mission after he chased his ball into a gorge in Alva.Hamish, the eight-year-old cockapoo, became stranded after he followed his favourite toy into fast-flowing water and became stuck.The incident happened on Friday morning as Hamish was enjoying a walk with his owner, Paul Bundy.Hamish regularly carries the ball himself on his walks but on this occasion he dropped and instinctively chased it – and ended up being washed downstream.A wet Hamish eventually was able to climb out of the icy water but found himself on the opposite side of the gorge from his owner.From there, he sat with his beloved ball firmly in his grasp.

But Paul was unable to reach him due to the slippery conditions and steepness of the gorge.Paul dialled 101 and requested Police Scotland’s assistance.The force then drafted in the specialist help of Ochils Mountain Rescue Team, based at Fishcross, to carry out daring technical rope rescue.Paul’s wife, Sandra, this week told the Observer: “My husband knew he was unable to get to him due to the steep gorge and fast-flowing water.

Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area. “That’s when he phoned 101 and police attended but they were unable to help and that when they phoned Ochils Mountain Rescue.“If Hamish hadn’t managed to get to the other side it would been a different story.“Hamish was fine and was happy to see myself and our other dog – my husband is fine too.“We can’t thank the Ochils Mountain Rescue Team enough.”There were 10 members of Ochils Mountain Rescue Team involved and the whole operation lasted a number of hours.A spokesperson for the team said: “A team member abseiled into the gorge to secure the dog and make him safe while other team