December 17 2012.


Volunteers from Newhaven's RNLI lifeboat station were launched on Sunday 16th December at 14:50 to a report of a dog that had been washed off the promenade south of Steyning Avenue in Peacehaven. The launch was requested by Coastguards to stop the distraught owners entering the choppy sea to recover their pet.
 
The lifeboat arrived on scene at 15:05 where the dog was about 40 feet from shore. The lifeboat was unable to recover the casualty initially due to the falling tide and shallow water. A crew member in a dry suit entered the water with a safety line attached and swam to the deceased animal. The crew member and the dog were then recovered.
 
The lifeboat returned to station at 15:55 where the owners collected their pet and thanked the lifeboat crew for their efforts.