Swanage D-Class Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) was requested to launch today following reports of a dog falling over the cliff at Ballard Down. After the fall the dog had been spotted in the water by the owners so the ILB was tasked to launch and recover it. Swanage Bay was quite choppy with a brisk NE wind blowing in so extra crew were required to steady the ILB’s trailer as it launched. With the lifeboat safely underway best speed was made towards Ballard Down. The volunteers from Swanage and St Albans Coastguard had been tasked and were also heading to the scene. Swanage Coastguard were able to direct the lifeboat towards the dog’s last known position but the dog could no longer be seen. One of the lifeboat crew was landed ashore to carry out a shoreline search while the lLB searched the immediate area. With nothing found the search area was increased and the Coastguard volunteers walked the beach to check the shoreline. Sadly after 2 hours of searching the dog was nowhere to be seen so all units were stood down.