A small dog sparked a large emergency services response this afternoon after becoming stuck on some rocks off Aberdeen.
The pup had become stranded while exploring the north side of the harbour breakwater at Footdee – with people entering the water to try and save it.
But concerned for their safety, a bystander raised the alarm and Aberdeen’s inshore lifeboat rushed to the scene in a matter of minutes.
While a Coastguard team attended to the swimmers who were trying to help the pooch and had got into difficulty, the lifeboat’s crew of three turned their attention to the animal itself.
They realised the dog had come ashore on the north side, but had then run over to Porca Quay on the south side and ended up stranded on a ledge exposed by the low tide.
The team “shepherded” the dog – who they found was “seemingly an able swimmer” – to the former lifeboat slipway.
Once back on dry land, it ran off down a nearby street.
Lifeboat helm Grant Bruce said: “This pooch showed something that lifeboat crews know well – that most dogs are good swimmers.
“When people enter the water to try to save a dog, its often the person who ends up in the greater danger. That’s when human tragedies occur.
“The RNLI always urges people not enter the water to try to save pets – go to the nearest spot where the dog can easily get out, then call to your dog from there.
“But if your dog is in real danger – perhaps being swept out to sea by the current, dial 999 for the Coastguard. Do not go into the water yourself.”