Coastguard bitten by rescued dog

Gary Coles had to be treated in hospital for his wounds

A coastguard has been treated in hospital after being bitten by a dog he was trying to save after it fell down cliffs in Devon.

Gary Coles was bitten by Scrappy, a Jack Russell, after the animal became stuck on cliffs at Littleham Cove, Sandy Bay, near Exmouth.

The dog was eventually coaxed back up the cliff to safety.

Now coastguards are asking dog owners to keep their animals on leads when walking near cliffs.

Specialist equipment

The warning comes after a poodle named Freya also had to be rescued after falling 30ft (9m) down cliffs nearby on Tuesday night.

A coastguard unit used specialist equipment to winch rescuer Matt Blower over the cliff and bring the poodle to safety. The dog was unhurt.

Fred Caygill, from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said there had already been more than 100 dog resuces nationally this year.

"We would like to remind owners of dogs that when they are walking them near cliff edges to keep them on a lead," he said.

"Please do not put yourselves at risk to rescue your pets, call the Coastguard by dialling 999."