Coastguard officers have been involved in a dramatic rescue mission after a pet dog got stuck halfway down a cliff.
Team members from Sunderland and Hartlepool Coastguard Rescue Teams were involved in the operation to rescue Bella the dog after she got stuck halfway down cliffs at Ryhope.
The team were called out on Saturday at 7.11pm - their third callout of the day.
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A spokesman for Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team said: "Coastguard officers from Sunderland were called out for the third time today with our colleagues from Hartlepool Coastguard Rescue Team to a dog that was stuck half way down the cliff at Ryhope.
"The dog had went missing earlier in the day from the owners home and thankfully some passing members of the public had heard her barking for help and called the coastguard to help.
"We deployed one of our rope rescue technicians to the dog and managed to recover her to safety and she seemed no worse for her ordeal.
"We were able to contact the owner after seeing the social media appeal who came and met us at the scene to take the dog home."
The coastguard have reminded the public that in all coastal emergencies they must dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.
The team is staffed by volunteers who are available 24/7 265 days of the year to respond to emergencies along the coastline and the River Wear corridor.
