A beloved pet dog is alive and incredibly unharmed after plunging 10 metres off a cliff in central Auckland.
The labrador, Hugo, was walking with his owner Pamela Foster along Hobson Bay Walkway in Parnell's Awatea Reserve when he just "disappeared".
"He was just his normal, inquisitive self, fossicking around on a walk," Pamela's husband Sandy explained. "This is the first time [this has happened]."
After some panicking, Pamela called Sandy, who met her on the cliff walk. They then started looking for Hugo and eventually managed to locate him about 10 metres down the slope.
It was then that they called the Fire Service, who sent a team to rescue him.
"It's fantastic that they can come out and do this sort of thing," Sandy said of the team. "It's a great service and great to have them around."
They sent one fireman down the side of the steep slope with a rope and, after strapping Hugo into a harness, was able to carry him through thick foliage to his grateful owners.
Hugo was in a boisterous mood after the rescue, rushing around to thank members of the Fire Service, onlookers and owners Sandy and Pamela for their efforts.
But the good times won't last, with Sandy saying their future walks are going to look different from now on.
"He's going to have to be on a lead for a while."
