Last Sunday (July 27), RNLI Lifeguard Elen Hill was patrolling on Newport Beach, Pembrokeshire and noticed a dog going for a swim. At first, nothing was out of the ordinary, but soon Elen noticed the dog’s owners who were on the shore and seemed to be concerned.

Elen drove the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) over to the owners to establish if they were worried about the dog. It became clear that Bertie was not coming back and appeared to be heading straight for Dinas Head, a very long swim for a dog.

Immediately, Elen grabbed a rescue board and ran in to paddle after Bertie. By the time Elen reached him, he was more than 200m out to sea and was visibly tiring. Due to his size, Elen couldn’t get him on the rescue board but managed to steer him so he was facing back towards the beach.

Elen and a passing windsurfer were encouraging Bertie to swim back towards the beach. By this point Bertie was extremely tired and when they were almost back, Elen had to hold onto his collar to keep him from going underwater.

Bertie was safely returned to shore, despite being a very tired boy. His owners were overjoyed.

Kate Wagg, Bertie’s owner said:

‘We’re so thankful to Elen for saving our Bertie. He started swimming out and just wouldn’t come back, he was fixated on the headland. We honestly thought we’d lost him, he just kept going further and further out to sea.

‘Without Elen’s bravery and quick response, the outcome could have been very different. My 12 and 14-year-olds would have been absolutely devastated if anything had happened to him.

‘We will be eternally grateful and have made a donation to the RNLI to show our appreciation.’

Noah Harvatt Lifeguard Supervisor for North Pembrokeshire said:

‘We’re very proud of Elen’s fast response and the care shown for Bertie the dog. Elen put her training to good use and saved a life. The RNLI’s aim is to save lives at sea, we’re thrilled Elen was able to reunite Bertie with his family.

‘RNLI lifeguards are specially trained to carry out sea rescues, so remember if you ever see an animal in difficulty at the beach or along the coast, don’t put yourself in danger and enter the water to try to rescue them yourself. Always inform the lifeguards or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’