Rescue as cat and dog find themselves trapped on ledges

Published on Monday 18 August 2008 10:39

TWO lucky pets have been reunited with their owners after dramatic rescues by firefighters in Edinburgh.

The dog and cat both became trapped on ledges, meaning firefighters had to come up with imaginative ways of reaching them. The unrelated incidents happened yesterday, less than three hours apart.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to the first incident at 9.50am.

They found a 15-year-old rescue dog named Gypsy had fallen down an embankment and come to rest on a ledge at Spylaw Park, Ridge Road.

Firefighters lowered themselves 20ft down to the dog and managed to pull the animal to safety.

A spokeswoman said:

"Firefighters had to use lines and a harness for crew safety.

"They managed to secure a rescue line to the dog and the dog was then lifted to safety and returned to its grateful owner."

The dog was said to be in a good condition, but a little frightened.

Little more than two-and-a half hours later, at around 12.30pm, the fire service was called out to a rescue a cat who was trapped at Rennies Isle, off Ocean Drive.

Two firefighters donned "immersion suits" and used an inflatable path to pull the cat from a ledge under a walkway at the Water of Leith.

The fire service spokeswoman said the cat's condition seemed to be fine. She added: "A local resident has taken care of the cat and it is going to be reunited with its owner later on."