A lifeboat was involved in the rescue

His wife raised the alarm on Sunday morning after her husband went to the aid of the collie, which fell off a cliff at St Ninian's Isle.

They were rescued in an operation involving local coastguard teams and Lerwick Lifeboat.

The man is thought to be suffering from mild hypothermia, but the dog was "none the worse for its experience".

Coastguards urged other people not to follow the man's example.

Watch manager Dave Robinson said: "We are pleased that this incident has had a successful outcome.

"We would advise members of the public not to put their lives at risk to attempt to save their pets.