What happens when a dog is swept out to sea? It calls for a unique rescue operation. Photos: Marine Rescue NSW.
After being swept out to sea, one coastal canine is recovering in the care of council rangers.
Radio operators at Marine Rescue Batemans Bay received multiple calls from concerned members of the public around noon on Monday (1 June) reporting a dog in distress.
The animal was swept from rocks at Observation Point, near Batemans Bay, on the NSW South Coast.
Rescuers followed him to Snapper Island, about 1.5 kilometres offshore.
Batemans Bay unit commander Rod Ingamells said their efforts were complicated by the dog’s decision to explore the island.
“If it were a person, they would have come to us – whereas the dog decided to have some fun,” he told Region.
“I’m not sure what he was thinking, but he just bolted around the other side of the island.”
Once relocated, a Marine Rescue volunteer coaxed the dog onto the back of a jet ski.
The dog was then transferred onto their rescue boat and taken to shore.
“It’s called an island, but it’s … and it’s been eroded fairly well, so everything’s sharp, and you can only get in through one area,” Mr Ingamells said of the rescue site.
“It’s a bit nerve-wracking when you’re going in … you know you’ve seen your crew members going into an area which is pretty rugged.”
Mr Ingamells said the dog had several scrapes to his paws but was otherwise in good condition.
“He was a bit cold and shivery, that’s all … He was still walking – he didn’t have any major injuries.”
Once safe and dry, the dog was handed over to Eurobodalla Shire Council rangers, who are now working to reunite the pooch with its owner.
“Whoever owned him was feeding him well, so I imagine that they’ll probably manage to find out [about his rescue], especially with all the media.”
The mystery dog, back on dry land.
He also said that while the unit had been called to rescue other animals in the past – such as dolphins caught in nets or sheep washed away by floods – this operation was a first.
“This was our first dog. We’re wondering what we’re going to get next!”
While it’s unknown how the dog ended up in the water, he believes the dog likely became confused after heading in the wrong direction toward home.
But Mr Ingamells said he was very lucky.
“It was flat as a tack out there,” he said of the conditions.
“We could do a lot more yesterday than what we could today [Tuesday]. He had the luck of the gods on his side.”
Mr Ingamells advised that simple strategies could limit the need for a rescue operation.
“The main thing I would say is always train your dog and chip it, so that at least you know they can find the owner fairly smartly.
“These things happen – dogs get out of the yard or they run around the streets and get disoriented.”
Do you recognise the dog? You can call Eurobodalla rangers on 02 4474 1019.
