Stranded Chihuahuas and pregnant cows – but RSPCA to the rescue
Chihuahuas, pregnant cows and horses are among the animals rescued by RSPCA emergency teams over the past week as torrential rain caused flooding across the country.
RSPCA officers across England and Wales have been out in force today and the past few days rescuing animals which have become trapped due to the recent high waters. More than 600 flood related incidents have been logged since last Thursday, with the bulk of these in the South West, Wales, Yorkshire and West Midlands.
At 8.30am this morning, four emergency RSPCA flood officers were called to rescue sheep stuck in a flooded field in Pickering, North Yorkshire. They were caught in waist-high waters and had to be led to higher land the other side of a fence.
RSPCA inspectors are also helping with the evacuation of residents in St Asaphs in Wales today. Residents from 500 properties have been advised to leave their homes due to flood risks are camping out in a leisure centre, where the RSPCA has set up a holding centre for pets. Teams in North Wales are also attending emergency calls in Bangor-on-Dee and Holywell where horses and other livestock are in difficulties.
Yesterday, crews were sent out to a farm in Somerset where four Chihuahuas, a Border collie and a German shepherd were rescued by boat from the flooded farmhouse and taken to safety at a boarding kennels. Sheep, pregnant heifers and their calves from the same farm were taken to higher ground and officers are returning today to continue to ensure their safety.
Also yesterday, two horses were stuck in waist-high floods in a field in Durham. Emergency RSPCA flood teams were called to lead them to safety.
In Milton in South Derbyshire the RSPCA and the fire service were called to rescue an elderly dog and cat with a heart condition. They were rescued by boat after the house they were in became cut off by high waters. The animals and the owner were taken to safety by the RSPCA. RSPCA officers also rescued 26 poultry from a property in Shardlow. The birds were taken to safety and are now taking refuge in a stable.
On Friday an RSPCA officer was called to assist the fire service in rescuing four horses which were trapped in a field after the River Trent flooded in South Derbyshire. The horses were up their neck in water, but were successfully removed and led away to safety.
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