The man was able to escape and return to the main path, but his Patterdale Terrier remained missing, prompting additional crews from Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team to be dispatched.
It’s thought Roxy, the two-year-old Patterdale Terrier, was distracted by a squirrel and she fell down the vertical crag in Cropton Forest near Pickering.
After a three-hour rescue, both were brought back up the ravine.
Crews were called at about 16:50 GMT to reports of the man and his dog falling 15ft (4.6m) off the walking path.
Once firefighters arrived, they realised the drop was much further than first thought, with mountain rescue teams also called in.
The dog owner had managed to return to the path safe and well, so resources switched to rescuing Roxy, who was perched on a ledge.
‘Working with the Fire and Rescue service, we quickly set up a dual rope system to lower John, one of our team members, with dog treats down to Roxy,’ said a Scarborough team spokesperson.
‘The dog appeared unharmed and was coaxed into a rope bag before being hauled back to the top of the crag, allowing Roxy to be reunited with her relieved owners.’
Dog treats to entice Roxy to safety and she was returned to her worried owners shortly after
‘In a great example of joint working (JESIP), we were grateful of the scene lighting provided by the Fire and Rescue Service which turned a dark, wet, foggy night into daylight, for clearing the shrubs away from the crag edge and for helping haul John and Roxy back up from the find site.
‘We had sixteen team members deployed for three-and-a-quarter hours. Roxy appeared no worse for her adventure.’
Roxy was finally brought to safety at around 8pm yesterday, with responders using dog treats to help her recovery.