Published: Wednesday, 13th August, 2008 12:30
'Miracle' dog survives 50ft fall
By Hamish Hutchinson
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Owner Alan Hogg thanks firefighters from Red Watch for their role in the rescue of Della.
Pic by: David Robertson
A DOG proved that cats aren’t the only animals to have nine lives after it survived a 50ft plunge down a gorge and spent the night on a tiny ledge.
Della, a six-year-old cocker spaniel, was rescued by a fire crew after she tumbled down a cliff and was swept over a waterfall in Alva Glen on Wednesday night.
Miraculously she was found early the next morning on a ledge only suffering minor scratches and bruising.
It was the second time that Della had recovered from a near fatal accident having suffered a broken pelvis when she was run-over by a car three years ago.
Owner Alan Hogg (49) from Alva joked, “She has more lives than a cat.”
The misadventure began on Wednesday at 8pm as Alan and his 20-year-old son Martin walked the three family dogs – collies Kim and Cassie, and Della – up Alva Glen.
He said, “I was up the glen as I go fairly often and was coming back down when one of the dogs knocked Della through the fence. She bounced a couple of times before hitting the water just above the waterfall.
“It was just panic. I threw my jacket off and ran down to try and get to her but there was no way down and no way up on the other side.”
Helplessly Alan watched Della disappear in the water towards the waterfall and out of sight.
Unable to locate her they called the Alloa firefighters to help find their beloved pet.
A Red Watch crew was dispatched to the scene but as the night fell the team stopped searching believing Della had not survived the fall.
Alan and his son returned to the spot at 7am on Thursday and found Della on a rock only a few feet above the water.
The Red Watch fire crew met them and one of the firefighters abseilled down to the scared pooch after finding a suitable anchor point for the ‘gotcha’ equipment.
Watch manager Davie Dawson said, “It’s not unusual for us to be called out to rescue animals but it was surprising that the dog survived. She had fallen down a 50ft gorge and travelled about 40ft down stream including over a waterfall about 30ft high.
“We had said to the owner the night before that there was a 99 per cent chance the dog was dead.
“When the owner got her back and was walking her down the hill she was wagging her tail and that’s when we knew she was all right.”
Alan was very grateful for the firefighters’ help and believed Della survived the fall due to her agility training which she showcases at various Gala and Fun Days.
The dog will return to demonstrating her skills at an open day to be held at the Scottish Police College, Tulliallan, in aid of Strathcarron Hospice.
Alan added, “She just had a bit of bruising on her back and a scratch on her nose.
“Della is my wife’s dog and she was extremely relieved to get her back. She is getting extra attention but I don’t know how long that will last.
“I’m now banned from going up the glen.”
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