Rescuers retrieve the dog from its precarious position. Photo: Keswick MRT

Mountain rescuers were called into action to save a dog that got stuck after slipping down a landslide above a swollen Lake District river.

Keswick Mountain Rescue Team was called out about 11.15am on Monday after a plea to help a ‘well built’ black labrador bitch called Callie.

The dog’s owner was walking with her in the Greta Gorge near Keswick in an area where there have been significant landslips.

A team spokesperson said: “The dog had slipped over the edge of the landslipped area, but had landed in a tiny scoop in a gully about 12m above the fast flowing Greta below.

“It took some time for the handler to locate the dog, but as soon as the alarm was raised, the team responded swiftly to its second rope-rigging rescue of the week. A national park ranger suggested the best point of access.

“One of the team’s search dog handlers took a harness and some treats, and was then lowered about 30m from the trees above the site.

The dog slid down the landslip. Photo: Keswick MRT

“She was able to harness the dog, which was, shall we say, well built – and then the team members above rigged a three-to-one pulley system, and pulled her and Callie to the top. Once on safe ground, Callie was much happier, and was able to be walked off to the A66, where she was reunited with a grateful owner.”

The Keswick team had spent almost seven hours the previous day in a difficult rescue on Blencathra after a man suffered serious injuries in a fall from Sharp Edge.

The team spokesperson said: “The team returned to base with another load of wet ropes and kit to be dried out and repacked.”

Seven Keswick MRT volunteers took part in Monday’s 1½-hour rescue of the dog.