The dedicated team at Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue in the United Kingdom is always hard at work, answering calls and providing aid to vulnerable animals in need. Day after day, these compassionate volunteers give their time and energy to make sure injured, lost, or stranded animals get the help they desperately need. However, one particular day stood out from the rest when they received a call that was both unusual and urgent.

It all began when several concerned people reached out to Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue with an alarming report. They described seeing a helpless animal lying face down in a muddy ditch. The image painted by their words was upsetting—an animal in obvious distress, stuck in the mud, unable to move, and possibly suffering. Without hesitation, the rescue organization knew they had to act fast.

Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue quickly put together a water rescue team and sent them out immediately. Time was of the essence because when an animal is trapped in cold water and thick mud, every minute can make a difference between life and death. The volunteers understood that they had to get there as quickly as possible, so they grabbed their gear and headed straight for the scene.

After roughly 20 minutes of traveling, the rescue team arrived at the reported location. They were well aware that the longer an animal remains stuck in such conditions, the greater the danger becomes. Moving quickly, the team spread out and began searching the muddy ditch area where the animal had been last seen.

Before long, the team spotted what they had come for—or so they thought. There in the ditch was a shape that looked unmistakably like a dog, lying still, partially submerged in water, surrounded by moss and mud. At first glance, it appeared that the poor animal was motionless, possibly in critical condition. The rescuers immediately approached, prepared to spring into action and do whatever was necessary to free the trapped creature and get it the help it needed.

But as they got closer, something didn’t quite add up. The shape of the animal wasn’t shifting or making any movement, not even a twitch or sign of breathing. The volunteers, experienced in rescues of this kind, quickly realized something was odd. Upon a more thorough inspection, the truth finally came to light. The “dog” that everyone had been so worried about wasn’t an animal at all—it was actually a statue!

Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue later shared the amusing yet relieving outcome of the rescue operation on their official Facebook page. “It was a statue!” they wrote, explaining the details of the incident. “A statue that had already been rescued by an onsite member of staff!” As it turned out, someone had already fished the statue out of the ditch before the rescue team had arrived, meaning there was no living creature in need of help after all.

Despite the false alarm, the team remained positive and understanding. They were glad people cared enough to make the call, even if it turned out to be unnecessary. Speaking to The Dodo, a representative from Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue explained, “It’s always a relief when there isn’t an injured animal to tend to.” They stressed that it’s always better for people to alert the proper authorities rather than ignore a situation that could involve an animal in danger.

While this call didn’t result in saving a real animal, it was a reminder of the importance of community involvement and kindness. The volunteers acknowledged that it is far better to respond to a false alarm than to miss the opportunity to save a life. Sometimes things aren’t always what they seem, but public concern and swift action can often make all the difference in animal rescues.

Following the humorous discovery, Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue shared one more update on social media, adding a bit of lightheartedness to the day. “The little dog is now safe and sound outside our office,” they wrote with a smile, referring to the dog statue they had retrieved. “If anyone wants to claim the statue then please pop into reception and we will happily reunite! 😆 Though unfortunately it did get a little damaged in the process!” They joked about the small bit of damage that happened during the retrieval but were happy to have followed through on their mission.

Later that evening, Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue posted a recap of the day’s events, mentioning that their water rescue volunteers had been dispatched to Thorpe Park near Cleethorpes Beach after receiving multiple reports about the “animal” in distress. Their willingness to act fast and without hesitation reflected their commitment to protecting animals, no matter the circumstances.

Even though this particular mission didn’t involve a living creature, it showcased the dedication and compassion of everyone involved. The public played their role by reporting what they saw, and the volunteers responded swiftly and professionally. It was a positive reminder of how caring communities can come together in support of wildlife.

The story also served as a lighthearted moment for the rescue team and their supporters, proving that not every emergency call ends with a dramatic rescue, but each one teaches valuable lessons about compassion and community vigilance.

Thank you to the incredible team at Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue for always answering the call, for their professionalism, and for their willingness to rush to the aid of animals in need—even if sometimes, the emergency turns out to be a playful misunderstanding. The world is truly a better place because of people like them.