Scrappy survives 100ft plunge from clifftop

A DOG has been reunited with its owners after he miraculously survived plunging down a 100ft cliff.

Scrappy leapt through the wall of ancient Slains Castle, near Cruden Bay in Aberdeenshire, and rolled down the cliffs on to the rocks below.

Distraught owners Donna and Ally Mitchell saw the four-year-old shih tzu vanish from sight and thought their beloved pet had died.

But the Fraserburgh couple soon realised he had survived when they heard a bark from the bottom of the cliff.

They quickly called in rescue workers to help get him to safety. Scrappy is now recovering at home after dislocating his leg.

Ally, 41, said yesterday: "I went up to the big window and stuck my head out to look at the view. He is such a trusting dog that he just came leaping out.

"He went rolling off the bank, and I saw his eyes filled with fear as he went off the cliff. I was hysterical - I wanted to jump off the cliff and go and get him."

The pair dashed over to the edge and tried to peer over to catch a glimpse of their pet.

They soon realised he must have crashed on to the rocks down below. Donna, 44, said: "Then he gave a bark. It was totally unbelievable - it is a total miracle. When we saw the height of the fall, we never thought it would be possible to survive."

A dozen rescue workers from Cruden Bay and Fraserburgh were called in, and Scrappy was winched to the top of the cliff in a hoist and taken to a local vet, who put his leg back in place.

Scrappy's escape comes weeks after a family lost their Yorkshire terrier, which fell down the rocks at the same spot.