Emergency services rescue dog from Bells Beach cliff

A two-year-old Golden Retriever was stuck on a ledge that hung about 10m over a cliff face after it left a walking track at Bells Beach.

A dog owner hugs emergency service workers who rescued her golden retriever from a cliff near Bells Beach. Picture: Alison Wynd

Emergency services have rescued a dog on Tuesday afternoon in a dramatic, three-hour long cliff top operation at Bells Beach.

The two-year-old Golden Retriever was stuck on a ledge that hung about 10m over the cliff face after it left a walking track.

CFA Commander, Nick Callan, said the rescue was “very technical” and required resources from police, SES and Fire Rescue Victoria.

“The dog left the walking track that runs between Bells and Jan Juc and went over the side of the cliff,” he said.

“It was a bit spooked and became stuck.

“Thankfully it was a good result.”

A golden retriever is rescued from a cliff near Bells Beach. Picture: Alison Wynd

Members of the Torquay CFA lead the operation, with the technical elements handled by FRV.

The pet, named Nella, was carried away safely to her relieved owner.

Torquay fire brigade lieutenant and incident controller, David Muir said the Rip Curl Pro surf competition did not proceed on Tuesday, so a family was walking the dog along the track.

A sign nearby said the area was not suitable for dogs.

Mr Muir said the pent went through a fence and fell down a ledge.

“There was a control point set up and crews secured lines and ropes and descended,” he said.

A golden retriever is rescued from a cliff near Bells Beach. Picture: Supplied

“A gear clothing bag was the best possible tool to help crews put the dog in and return it to the walking track.

“It was a family pet so there was a lot of emotional attachment and the family was very grateful.

“It was a good ending and we’re happy everyone was safe and secure.”

Mr Callan said the dangerous operation required two firefighters to find suitable anchor points for roping.

“It took a few hours to achieve,” he said.

“It gives you an experience of the best way to manage the situation if it was a real person.

“It’s as good a training as you would ever get.”

A CFA spokesman said Torquay and Bellbrae CFA brigades, alongside FRV, responded to the “high-angle rescue” on Bells Beach Road at about 12.27pm.

“Crews worked to rescue a dog stuck on the edge of a cliff, the dog was approximately 10 metres down a cliff and 10 metres from the ocean,” he said.

Originally published as Emergency services rescue dog from Bells Beach cliff