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Dog rescued after plunging 50ft into ravine 'while chasing squirrel'

Mountain rescue workers and firefighters rescued Roxy after she plummeted 15ft into a ravine in Pickering, North Yorkshire. (Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue)
Mountain rescue workers and firefighters rescued Roxy after she plummeted 15ft into a ravine in Pickering, North Yorkshire. (Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue)

A dog who plunged down a ravine while becoming 'distracted' by a squirrel on a walk has been rescued by volunteers and firefighters.

Emergency services were called to Cropton Forest in Pickering, North Yorkshire, after there were reports that a man and his dog had fallen 15ft down a ravine.

Once they arrived, the man was found safe and well but his dog, a two-year-old Patterdale Terrier called Roxy, was stuck on a ledge 50ft – rather than 15ft – down a vertical crag close to a place called Needle Point.

Crews lowered one volunteer down into the ravine who coaxed Roxy into a bag with dog treats. (Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue)
Crews lowered one volunteer down into the ravine who coaxed Roxy into a bag with dog treats. (Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue)

Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue teamed up with North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service to carry out a three-and-a-quarter hour rescue of Roxy.

Together they used a rope system to lower a volunteer with dog treats down to Roxy.

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She was then coaxed into a rope bag before both her and her rescuer were hauled back to the top of the crag and Roxy was reunited with her owners.

Sharing the news on Facebook, Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue said: "Working with the Fire and Rescue service we quickly set up a dual rope system to lower John, one of our team members, with dog treats down to Roxy.

Roxy, who was uninjured, was united with her owners after the three-hour rescue. (Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue)
Roxy, who was uninjured, was united with her owners after the three-hour rescue. (Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue)

The post added: "The dog appeared uninjured and was coaxed into a rope bag before John and Roxy were hauled back to the top of the crag allowing Roxy to be reunited with her relieved owners.

"In a great example of joint working we were grateful of the scene lighting provided by the Fire and Rescue Service which turned a dark, wet, foggy night into daylight, for clearing the shrubs away from the crag edge and for helping haul John and Roxy back up from the find site."

They said it was believed that Roxy had been "distracted" by a squirrel, resulting in the fall, but added: "Roxy appeared no worse for her adventure."