A six-year-old cockerpoo has been rescued by RNLI crews after spending more than 30 hours stranded on an island near Swansea, South Wales.
Lola was found in a cave on Middle Island near the Mumbles lighthouse, approximately three miles from where she initially went missing during a walk.
The distressed dog, which was wearing a Christmas jumper, was discovered after her barking alerted searchers to her location as the tide was rising.
RNLI volunteers successfully retrieved the cold but unharmed pet from the island in darkness before reuniting her with her relieved owners on Pier Beach.
Laura and Eamonn Kinally with their six-year-old Cockapoo Lola
PA
Lola was spooked by another dog during a walk at around 4.30pm on January 7, prompting a frantic 31-hour search by her owners Laura and Eamonn Kinally.
The missing pet was first captured on a doorbell camera at approximately 11.30pm that evening, but had vanished by the time her family arrived.
Multiple sightings were reported across Swansea, with Lola spotted at a local ice cream shop, the beach, a park and even running across a dual carriageway.
The search effort received substantial support from the Missing Dogs Team Wales group on social media and the local community. Searchers located Lola after hearing barking on Middle Island, but were forced to evacuate as the rising tide threatened to cut them off.
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Six-year-old Cockapoo Lola, who was found by The Mumbles RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew
PA
The Coastguard was contacted, and the Mumbles inshore lifeboat crew launched into the darkness to rescue the stranded pet. RNLI crew members spotted movement in an eastern gully on the island, where they found Lola hiding in a cave.
The specially-trained crew managed to calm the distressed dog before wrapping her in blankets and safely transferring her to their boat. “I'm in awe of the RNLI and can't thank them enough for rescuing her,” said Laura Kinally.
Her husband Eamonn recalled the moment of discovery. He said: “It was such a relief. They said she'd been hiding in a cave and they had to pull her out. She was wet and shivering when she made it back, but they gave her blankets.”
Upon returning home, Lola was famished and went straight to her food bowl.
Laura Kinally with her six-year-old Cockapoo Lola
PA
Kinally plans to undertake a sponsored walk this summer, following Lola's suspected route, to raise funds for the volunteer RNLI lifeboat service.
James Cunliffe, a volunteer crew member, noted this was the team's first rescue operation of the year.
“We are delighted to have reunited Lola with her family and are always grateful for any fundraising support to the RNLI so we can continue to save lives at sea,” he said.
Cunliffe also emphasised the importance of public safety during pet rescues, adding: “If you ever see an animal in danger on the coast or in the water, please do not attempt to rescue the animal yourself as you could end up in trouble. Instead, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
