Animal rescues cost Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service almost £19,000 in a two-year period

A Freedom of Information request, obtained by the Hereford Times, shows that Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) spent a total of £18,495 on rescuing large and small animals around the county between March 2013 and January 2015.

Call-outs included a horse trapped in a hole in Whitchurch last January – which cost £1,066.92 – and a cat trapped between walls in Leominster last August – which cost £1,283.92.

But area commander, Jon Pryce, said that although the elected fire authority members had previously considered the possibility of charging for these call-outs, it 'became clear' that would not be beneficial.

He said: "There have been many incidents across the UK where, in order to rescue their animals or pets, owners have put themselves at extreme risk. If we charged for animal rescues, it may discourage the owner from calling us, and therefore place human and animal life in unnecessary danger.

"The safety of the public is our main priority and we understand the value our communities place on their pets, animals and livestock. We work closely with RSPCA, vets and other animal welfare organisations to ensure that we respond to animal rescues as efficiently as possible."

In 2013, HWFRS started a programme of 'up-skilling' its operational workforce in how to safely deal with animal rescues, based on national best practice.

Every firefighter is trained to deal with all types of animal rescues, assess incidents they attend, and carry out most rescues.

A large number of staff across both counties are on-call (retained) firefighters who have full time employment within their communities – many of whom as a result also have experience of working with animals.

And HWFRS has also implemented two specialist large animal rescue teams within the service – based at Pershore and Bromyard fire stations.

The crews have undergone advanced specialist training in animal rescue techniques, and have additional equipment to support this.

Part of their training regime involves training with agricultural colleges, working with vets and practicing with live animals which allows them to understand the animals and work with the owners to ensure rescues are jointly carried out in the best way possible.

The animal rescue teams also carry a range of specialist equipment including lifting harnesses that are specifically designed to protect the animal from further harm.

In a statement, HWFRS, added: "Improper lifting or “dragging” of a large animal that is already in distress is not only dangerous to the rescuers but significantly reduces the animals’ chances of survival.

"This investment in animal rescue training across the service, has not only enhanced our capabilities but also helps us respond to animal rescues with highly skilled, safe and well equipped firefighters which reduces the risk to the animals, their owners, vets and the public."