A dog has been safely rescued after chasing a mountain goat down a steep slope on Table Mountain, leaving it stranded about 80 metres below the Pipe Track.

Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) says the incident happened near Spring Buttress on Thursday evening, during a run with the dog’s owner.

The adventurous pup spotted a tahr and took off in pursuit. But while the tahr managed to navigate the steep terrain, the dog found itself unable to climb back up.

Its owner followed it a short distance down the slope but decided it was too dangerous to continue. He then called for help after spotting the dog stranded on a narrow ledge below a cliff.

A WSAR rescue team responded to the scene, using a rope system to lower a rescuer to the ledge.

The dog was secured in a rope bag and hoisted back up to the trail, with the operation successfully completed at 10.45 pm.

WSAR has thanked the rescuers who gave up their Thursday evening to bring the dog safely back to its owner.

The organisation urges hikers and their four-legged companions to avoid unnecessary risks on the mountain and to call for help early when they get into trouble. The emergency contact number is 021 937 0300.