The Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team has faced criticism regarding its response to claims about a dead dog found at Jamestone Quarry in Haslingden, following reports circulating on social media. Initial claims suggested that the team failed to rescue the dog during a significant callout on March 15, 2025, when they were responding to an emergency involving a 54-year-old woman who had broken her leg while walking in the quarry area.
In a statement addressing the criticism, the team clarified, “We’re sorry ‘some’ felt we’d ignored the dog, but rest assured we simply hadn’t seen or been informed of a situation and quite rightly were concentrating on the callout emergency at the time, including heli-med and additional resources.” This timeline of events highlights the challenges that the rescue teams can face in the field, especially when emergencies demand their full focus.
The situation began to escalate with numerous social media posts that reported a dog in distress below the cliff at the quarry. According to the rescue team, they were first made aware of the situation when they were contacted by United Utilities on the afternoon of March 18, three days after their initial callout. “Some team members were beginning to read and hear rumors of the dog,” the team mentioned, acknowledging the disturbing nature of the reports.
Because of safety concerns regarding loose rocks as daylight diminished, the team decided it would be more prudent to investigate the following day, March 19. On that day, a mutual investigation began involving team members and representatives from United Utilities. After abseiling down to the dog’s location, they unfortunately confirmed it to be deceased.
The spokesperson for the Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team further noted, “We must stress there was no report of a missing dog locally fitting its description. It was a very sad affair to see any animal in such a state.” The dedication of the rescue team in addressing the incident underscores their commitment to their community.
A team member who is a veterinary manager took care of the dog's remains, ensuring that respect was shown during the process. The appropriate authorities were notified about the situation, following the protocols for such occurrences. The spokesperson expressed gratitude towards the public for their support, stating, “As a rescue team, we take great pride in being a responsible and integral part of the community, but we rely on the public often and appreciate these sorts of things are distressing. This being said, we can’t investigate or rescue what we aren’t aware of.”
This incident has raised attention to the importance of public communication with emergency services. The team emphasized that they depend greatly on the community to keep them informed about such distressing reports. The critical aspect of timely communication becomes even more evident during situations where immediate actions are required.
In summary, while criticisms arose regarding the absence of a rescue during a critical situation, the Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team clarified their position and reaffirmed their commitment to animal welfare and public safety. It’s a poignant reminder of the complexities faced by emergency response teams and the vital relationship they have with the communities they serve.
