A WAYWARD dog sparked off a major search and rescue operation after wandering onto mudflats. Toby, a four-year-old springer spaniel, had fire crews, coastguards and the RNLI out for five hours on the banks of the River Medway at Rainham.

The rescue team included two firefighters who waded waist-deep in the mud to try to bring him back last night.

Strood fire station sub-officer Ian Crouch said: "It was a very tricky operation because the conditions were so difficult.

ÒOur own firefighters were at risk of being stuck in the mud." Toby took off from the sea wall by Mariner's Farm in Lower Rainham Road during a walk and scampered 300 yards onto the flats.

His owner, Michael Gomez-Lee, 49, of Walshingham Close, Parkwood, Rainham, first drove home to pick up his stepsons Peter, 22, and Brian, 18, to help get Toby back. But the men knew the mudflats were dangerous and called in the emergency services at 6.30pm. Peter said: "At first I went out and was up to my knees in mud but I knew it was too risky to keep going."

Firefighters Kevin Mitton and John Hadley, wearing dry suits, waded out but it was found Toby wasn't trapped and began running around. Mr Crouch said: "Our firefighters were at times up to their waists in the mud and it was made even more difficult that the dog wouldnÕt keep still "

Mr Mitton and Mr Hadley were eventually called back and the Sheppey RNLI inland lifeboat crew were sent out. The crewmen were able to get nearer the dog on the flats and brought him back just before 11.30pm.

Toby was brought back home and bathed and fed.

Peter said: "Toby was reasonably okay but was very cold and hungry. He had been out there for a total six hours. We certainly wonÕt take him out there again."

Also involved in the operation were firefighters from the Medway station, acting as a relief crew, and members of the Thames Coastguard shore-based unit.

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