News release
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
27/07/2008	Rye Harbour 032/2008

Dog jumps into the River Rother at Rye Harbour entrance

Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat crew launched today at 12.25 pm to rescue a Cavalier King Charles spaniel 'Lotty' who had jumped into the River Rother at Rye Harbour entrance, whilst chasing seagulls.

The crew borrowed a 3.5m RIB (rigid inflatable boat) from Henk Ruysch, owner of Rye Harbour Marine as there was not enough water in the river to launch the RNLI Relief Lifeboat, B-722 'Beatrice Dorothy'. The three crew members and Lotty's owner, David Gare, made their way to the casualty arriving at 12.37 pm. Lotty was recovered into the Lifeboat which arrived back at station at 1 pm.

Tony Edwards, RNLI Deputy Launching Authority at Rye Harbour Lifeboat stations said: ‘This type of rescue is not uncommon here at Rye Harbour, we have several shouts to dogs in the river each year. Since 18 October 2007, we have rescued four dogs from the River Rother at Rye Harbour. During 2007 the RNLI launched 108 times to animals resulting in 60 being rescued. Out of the 60 animals rescued, 40 were dogs.

Our lifeboat crews and lifeguards provide a ring of safety around our island: Lifeboats, Lifeguards - Life first.’

Notes to editors

• Photo: Lotty and owner, David Gare - Rye Harbour
• Photo: Returning to station, after being rescued
• Photo: Returning to station, after being rescued
• David Gare (Lotty's owner) is willing to be contacted by press and media
• Rye Harbour lifeboat station has been operating since 1966. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/ryeharbour

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Steve Tollett, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on news@ryeharbourlifeboat.co.uk or Tim Ash, Deputy Media Relations Manager South East and London on 07785 296252 or tash@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.