|
At 13:30hrs on 26 October 2009 the RSPCA contacted Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to request the assistance of an Animal Rescue Specialist to help rescue a dog that had become trapped in a badger sett at Heavens Gate, Shoot Wood, Burley.
Two days previously owners John and Janet West from Burley had been walking their 5 year old standard wire haired Dachshund Lucy with 2 other dogs on when she went into a badger sett. After unsuccessfully trying to coax Lucy out they alerted Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and New Forest Keeper Howard Taylor for assistance and Natural England granted a temporary licence for the sett to be checked.
Control Operators mobilised Animal Rescue Specialist Anton Phillips to the investigate the badger sett. Watch Manager Phillips used specialist listening equipment and a snake eye camera to examine the site but was unable to locate the dog. At this stage the incident was handed back to the RSPCA and Forestry Commission.
The next day, New Forest Keeper Howard Taylor got in touch with Anton Phillips to advise that he believed that the dog was still in the badger sett . Natural England granted another temporary licence to allow another inspection of the badger sett. Animal Rescue Specialist Anton Phillips carried out a further survey of the hole with the snake eye camera and a chimney rod. There was still no sign of Lucy.
On the 29 October 2009 the New Forest Keeper confirmed that he had heard the dog barking and a full licence from Natural England was obtained to enable badger set to be disturbed.
The combined team which consisted of Watch Manager Phillips, two Forestry Commission Keepers and Lucy’s owners mobilised to the site the next morning.
The rescue effort was supported by Turf Croft Farms who provided the mini-digger used in the operation. New Forest Keeper Matthew Davies supplied echo locating equipment to assist with the digging process to ensure that Lucy was safe at all times. This also enabled a precise location to be established and minimum disturbance to the badger sett.
Lucy was finally rescued and reunited with her relieved owners shortly after midday on Friday 30 October 2009. John and Janet West will be making a substantial donation to Hampshire Fire and Rescue's Animal Rescue Team in recognition of Watch Manager Phillips' actions.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service reminds the public that any animal, small or large, that is trapped or in distress can be potentially dangerous. It is important to try and keep the animal calm and humans away, and request the immediate assistance of specialists to rescue the animal, rather than attempting to do so themselves.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has a team of four Animal Rescue Specialists. The dedicated team are leading the way in animal rescue work in the UK, with other fire and rescue service’s learning from their example. Their role is not solely responding to incidents, they are also heavily involved in education and the development of new rescue techniques, as well as promoting animal welfare.
2009-11-04
|
