When Luna the cockapoo tumbled down a 500-foot cliff on Dorset's Jurassic Coast, her owner was devastated. But what happened next was extraordinary — 40 volunteers, three coastguard teams, and two fire crews refused to give up on her, staging an epic two-day rescue operation that gripped the entire country.
The drama began just before 5pm on a Thursday at Thorncombe Beacon, between Eype and Seatown on the stunning Jurassic Coast. Luna slipped from the clifftop and fell approximately 160 feet before landing on a narrow ledge — terrified but miraculously alive.
Day One: Racing Against Darkness
Coastguard teams from Beer, West Bay, and Lyme Regis were scrambled immediately. A rope rescue specialist was lowered to Luna's position on the ledge, but the frightened pup — disoriented and scared — kept running along the narrow ledge away from her rescuers.
Multiple approaches were attempted. Teams tried to coax her with food and familiar scents. But as darkness fell and weather conditions deteriorated, the difficult decision was made to suspend operations for the night, with the intention of returning at first light if Luna could still be seen or heard.
It was an agonising night for Luna's owners.
Day Two: The Pincer Movement
At dawn, three coastguard teams returned alongside additional assistance from the fire and rescue rope team. This time, they had a plan: a coordinated pincer movement.
Two rope rescue teams were deployed over the cliff on either side of Luna's location, closing in from both directions simultaneously. The strategy was designed to prevent Luna from escaping along the ledge as she had done the previous day.
"The persistence of the coastguard rope technician paid off, and after a while she was tempted into and secured in our animal bag and brought safely to the clifftop." — Beer Coastguard
A rope technician from West Bay finally coaxed Luna close enough to secure her in a specialised animal rescue bag. She was then carefully winched to the top of the cliff.
The Reunion
The moment Luna was handed back to her tearful, relieved owners drew cheers from the assembled rescuers and onlookers. After more than 11 hours of total rescue effort spread across two days, involving over 40 people, the little cockapoo was finally safe.
The rescue made headlines across the UK, becoming one of those heartwarming stories that reminds us of the extraordinary lengths people will go to for an animal in need.
A Reminder About Cliff Safety
While celebrating the happy ending, the coastguard gently reminded dog owners to keep pets on a lead near cliff edges. The rescue required enormous resources and put rescuers at significant risk.
But nobody who was there that day would have had it any other way. Sometimes, 40 strangers really do become the best family. 🐶❤️