Ewe rescue 180The RSPCA and Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service have teamed up to make a unique rescue of a sheep which fell down a hole in Akeley last weekend (17 Jan).

A man out sledging with his children spotted the ewe stuck down a deep hole. He tried to pull the shivering sheep out of the hole but couldn’t so called the RSPCA for help.

RSPCA animal collection officer Kate Wright called for help from Bucks FRS and Station Commander Nick Honor, who is based at HQ in Aylesbury, attended.

SC Honor said: “People traditionally think that fire and rescue services only become involved in animal rescues when cats are stuck up trees. The reality, however, is very different.

“Fire and rescue services have a range of specialist skills and equipment to undertake animal rescues and will assist where there is a need. In this instance, working together with the RSPCA, we were quickly and successfully able to minimise any further distress and move the sheep to a place of safety.”

The ewe is thought to have fallen down the hole overnight but despite slight grazing and being cold and muddy she was not seriously injured.

Kate added: “Between the two of us we managed to pull her out. The ewe had grazed her back legs and was very cold and weak but we stayed with her for about an hour after getting her out and she eventually managed to walk over to the rest of the flock.

“I was able to track down an owner who attended straight away and was going to keep a close eye on her. I was very thankful to Nick, there was no way I could have got her out on my own.”

Pictures by RSPCA - find out more at www.rspca.org.uk/