The comments were giving the Dept some grizzle because people took a risk to save a dog.
Our department doesn't have high cliffs, but we do have lots of ice.
If someone calls 911 for a dog through the ice, we respond every time.
2 reasons: if 911 says we won't help, the owner will like fall through the ice trying to rescue the dog. And, it is a really great "live fire" training exercise. Ice rescue isn't something we do everyday and it's good practice. Firefighters in ice water rescue suits tethered with rope are almost 100% safe during ice rescue.
I imagine the same applies to high angle rope rescue.