Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Services Large Animal Rescue Unit was established last year as a specialist rescue and rapid response service.
While based in Warwickshire, the team respond to over-the-border incidents in Leicestershire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire and were instrumental in getting racehorse Foxy out of her tricky predicament.
The 11-year-old grey mare had somehow got herself wedged rear-end first down a metre diameter well with only her knees, head and neck visible.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service technical team from southern station and firefighters from Hinckley arrived on scene last May and quickly realised expert help was required, calling out the Warwickshire unit.
Much discussion took place about whether they could actually fulfil the rescue without compromising the animal’s welfare and a police marksman was on hand should the worst case scenario arise.
However with patience and determination the crews combined to put a safety harness around the horse and pull her free. Foxy needed intensive care and treatment at Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket after the incident, having suffered a fracture which led to a joint infection. But by last autumn she was finally back on her hooves again.
While Foxy’s rescue proved unique and difficult the unit has also attended incidents such as a cow stuck in mud, a foal stuck in a trench and a sheep stuck in a river.
Talking about the success of the unit, Rugby station commander Roland Bayley said: “Since the launch of the Large Animal Rescue Unit, we have attended around 30 incidents which have required a specialist rescue.
“Throughout the year, the animal rescue instructors have continued to train with the crews at different locations around the county. This however, would not have been possible without the support from local farmers, stables and veterinaries, who allow our firefighters to work with their animals to learn more about the different types and breeds of animals they may come across.
“As part of the training sessions, crews are required to undertake rescues with our horse mannequin ‘siren’. He has been a valuable training aid and has found himself in many a ditch and river around Rugby, which has caused a lot of interest for passers-by. No one ever expects to see a full size plastic horse being rescued by firefighters.”
To help further improve the service, the team are getting a new large animal rescue vehicle to help carry some of specialist equipment required for rescues and to increase animal rescue capability within the region.
(Hinckley Times - June 15, 2015)
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