A FAMILY dog was the subject of a dramatic rescue after the pooch swam out to sea and became stranded for 45 minutes off Barry Island.

Tracey and Christopher Prince were walking their husky Daley when the dog became distracted by some ducks and decided to chase them by the Old Harbour.

However, Daley then carried on swimming after the birds further into the sea and near some dangerous rocks where his owners could not reach him.

Mrs Prince, 49, said she tried to reach Daley and waded in the water, but didn’t want to put herself in danger as well.

“I tried to get to him but he was still following the ducks and I couldn’t reach him,” she said.

“He was swimming around for around three quarters of an hour. We kept panicking when we couldn’t see his ears above the water. We were scared that was it for him.”

Mrs Prince’s husband managed to call the coastguard and the RNLI were called out to rescue the stranded dog. He was then safely returned to his owners on the shore.

“It was embarrassing,” said Mrs Prince. “They are so good at rescuing people in difficulties. To come out for just a dog was brilliant.

“We will be going down there to thank them and donate to them as well.”

The family have had Daley since November last year and think that because he is a husky, he is prey driven, which is why he chased the ducks so far.

“It was a bit of a different day for the Prince household,” said Mrs Prince.

“However, we are glad Daley is home safe and sound.”

A spokesman for the RNLI said the volunteer crew of the RNLI’s Barry Dock crew were alerted and a lifeboat was launched .

He said: “On arrival the lifeboat crews saw the husky dog swimming in deep water some distance offshore.

"They carefully and quietly encouraged the dog to swim toward the shore using the smaller, quieter D Class lifeboat. They were then presented with the challenge of safely encouraging the dog back up the steep, sharp rockface toward its owners, which took patience and care.

“Supported by Coastguard colleagues onshore after some careful negotiation of the uneven wet rocks the dog was reunited with its much relieved and very happy owners.”

Barry Dock Lifeboat Coxswain Martin Bowmer added: “As we approach summer time we’ll see more people enjoying the wonderful Welsh coastline many accompanied by their dogs. We’d encourage them to stay away from unsafe rocks as they can be slippery and challenging underfoot even for dogs.

“In particular we’d ask people not to venture off signposted public footpaths but enjoy the coastline whilst staying safe.”