Coastguard Called After Dog Gets Trapped at Askam Pier
Coastguard rescue teams were called to Askam Pier after a dog became trapped and members of the public tried to help.
Furness Coastguard was called to the incident after reports that a dog was stuck at the pier. The team had only just returned to station from another callout when they were alerted to the situation in Askam. Millom Coastguard Rescue Team was also tasked to assist.
The incident caused concern because members of the public were reportedly attempting to rescue the dog themselves. Coastal rescue teams often warn people not to put themselves at risk when trying to save pets, especially around water, mud, rocks or tidal areas.
Rescue teams sent to Askam Pier
Askam Pier sits on the Duddon Estuary, where conditions can change quickly. Even when an area looks safe from the shore, mud, water channels and tides can make rescues more dangerous.
Furness Coastguard and Millom Coastguard were both involved in the response. Their role was to assess the situation, keep people safe and deal with the rescue in a controlled way.
The coastguard was called because of concerns that the dog was trapped and that people nearby were trying to reach it. In these situations, the risk is not only to the animal, but also to anyone who tries to enter an unsafe area without the right training or equipment.
Why people are urged not to attempt rescues
It is natural for owners or bystanders to want to help a dog in distress. However, coastguard teams regularly remind the public that entering water, mud or unstable coastal areas can quickly turn one emergency into two.
A person trying to rescue a pet can become trapped, cut off by the tide or unable to get back to safety. This can lead to a larger rescue operation and put both the public and emergency crews at greater risk.
The safest advice is to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if someone or an animal is in trouble near the coast.
A busy day for local coastguard teams
The Askam Pier callout came during a busy period for Furness Coastguard. The team said it had been called out for a second time after returning to station, before receiving the report of the dog stuck at Askam Pier.
Millom Coastguard also confirmed its team was paged and tasked to help Furness Coastguard with the incident.
The response highlights the wide range of incidents coastguard teams deal with around the Furness and south Cumbria coast. While many people associate the coastguard with boats and people in the water, teams are also called to incidents involving pets, walkers, mud rescues, cliffs and tidal areas.
Safety message for dog walkers
Dog walkers are being reminded to take extra care around coastal areas, especially near estuaries and places where the tide can move quickly.
Dogs can run onto mudflats, rocks or exposed ground that may look firm but can be unsafe. If a dog becomes trapped, owners should avoid following it into danger. In many cases, dogs are more likely to make their own way back than people are.
The key advice is:
- Keep dogs under close control near water, mud and tidal areas.
- Check tide times before walking on beaches or estuaries.
- Do not try to cross mudflats or channels to reach a pet.
- Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard in a coastal emergency.
Public urged to call for help early
The Askam Pier incident ended with coastguard teams being called before the situation became more serious.
While it is not yet clear how long the dog had been trapped or exactly how it was brought to safety, the callout is a useful reminder of how quickly coastal incidents can develop.
Emergency services would rather be called early than after someone has already got into difficulty. For dog owners and walkers, the safest response is to stay on firm ground, keep the animal in sight if possible, and wait for trained rescuers to arrive.
