People may put themselves at risk while rescuing animals

Brixham Coastguard received a call from a member of the public who reported seeing two dogs going over a cliff at Bolt Tail, near Kingsbridge, at 0900 GMT on Saturday.

Later in the morning, Portland Coastguard received a similar call reporting that a dog had gone over the cliff at Kings Hole, near Beer in east Devon, after racing off from its owner.

Dog owners are being asked to keep their dogs on a leash until they reach the safety of inland pathways.

If dog owners can be a little more thoughtful ... a lot of pain and anguish can be avoided Ros Evans, Portland Coastguard

At the Bolt Tail incident, a rescue team was sent to see if efforts were being made to recover the dogs by the owner or any other member of the public who may have been putting themselves at risk.

When team arrived at the cliff top, they found both dogs had died after a headlong plunge and were being washed around in the sea.

The bodies were eventually washed back into towards the foot of the cliff and a team member was put down the cliff on lines in order to recover them.

A seven-strong coastguard rescue team from Beer was called out to the second incident after a 12-year-old Boxer-cross dog called Guzzi fell from a cliff top, much to the distress of its owner from York.

Portland Coastguard Watch Manager Ros Evans said: "Dogs are very keen to exercise and, in good weather, a walk along a cliff top can be an exhilarating experience.

"However, the day can turn into heartbreak for the owner if the dog cannot stop before reaching the edge of the cliff."

"If owners can be a little more thoughtful and not unleash them until they reach the safety of inland pathways, then a lot of pain and anguish can be avoided."