Dog rescued after nine days down cliff

A dog that spent nine days at the bottom of a 60-metre Otago cliff without food or water has been reunited with his owner.

Rusty the collie disappeared from Bronwyn Shute's property at Owaka, 30km south of Balclutha, last week, and she had given up hope of seeing him again, the Otago Daily Times reported.

But Rusty had luck on his side when a tourist who heard him barking near the Jacks Blowhole Track on Saturday afternoon raised the alarm.

The Fire Service was called to the cliff and deputy chief officer Kelly Chambers abseiled down to rescue the nine-year-old dog.

"He just about licked me to death," Mr Chambers said.

Rusty would have "been history" if any rough seas came along, he said.

Ms Shute said Rusty was now "as good as gold".

TV3 Video of Rusty
Nine days after he went missing, Rusty the border collie was discovered at the bottom of a cliff, barking to be rescued. - read full story »