While taking his human for a Boxing Day walk on the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, Meatball, an Irish Wheaten Terrier, fell about 10m into the river just upstream of Pecca Bridge. Although uninjured, he could not regain the path, so scrabbled out onto a slippery, sloping ledge in a distressed state. His owner called North Yorkshire Police for assistance and they, in turn, called CRO. Once the location was confirmed, two members of CRO’s swift-water team went in the river, secured by other members on the bank. They were able to rescue the dog and restore him to his owner, apparently unharmed.
Footnote: In July 2019, another dog, Neo, was less fortunate than Meatball, falling in and becoming trapped under water. His body was not recovered until the water level subsided on the third day. Unless your dog is stronger or heavier than you, it might be a good idea to keep him or her on a lead through the gorge sections of the Trail.
Volunteer hours: 23