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| RSPCA officers involved in this week's sheep rescue |
Rush to rescue farm animals from rising floods
Animals trapped by rising flood water have been saved in rescue operations involving county council animal health officers.
A herd of approximately 400 sheep were rescued from land near Lichfield, while 30 cattle were saved on farmland near Stafford. Unfortunately around 20 sheep could not be saved and drowned.
The sheep were kept at Fisherwick near Lichfield. They were moved during a two-day operation involving the Fire Service and Police and were assisted by officers of the RSPCA..
Officers were also called out to farmland next to the River Sow at Wolseley, Stafford earlier yesterday after reports that 30 cattle had become trapped by rising water levels.
When they arrived the cattle were standing in deep water, there was a possibility of them drowning if the water had continued to rise.
The animal health officers contacted the owner of the animals and arranged for him to attend, the animals were then moved well above the flood line.
Carol Dean county council Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities said: "The animals were in real danger when our officers and the fire service arrived. They worked well together to ensure the animals were safely rescued. The stock appeared to be in good health despite their ordeal. I would like to congratulate all of the officers from the various agencies involved for their efforts."
High rainfall is expected across the district on Tuesday and Thursday. (To find out more visit the Met Office website).It is vital that livestock keepers with stock in high risk areas sign up for regular updates from Floodline, a service provided by the Environment Agency.
Page Last Modified:
11/09/2008 09:03:16
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