


Herd of 26 sheep rowed to safety after field floods in downpours
More than two dozen sheep had a narrow escape thanks to firefighters when their meadow flooded in Dorset.
The herd of 26 were strapped into a boat and rowed to shore after torrential rain turned their field in the hamlet of Fiddleford into a lake.
Living up to the ‘rescue’ side of their mission, the Dorset and Wiltshire fire and rescue service crew were called to the waterlogged site near the River Stour.
The service sent its wading team out in a long inflatable boat and they brought the animals to dry land.
They tweeted: ‘All’s wool that ends wool. How many sheep can you fit in a boat?
‘A question the wading team from Sturminster Newton and Blanford fire stations found out this week!
‘With assistance from a Devon and Somerset fire service animal rescue officer, 26 sheep were rescued from a flooded field using a boat.’
A picture shows at least nine sheep safely secured in the boat surrounded by four members of the fire crew looking delighted with the outcome.
The livestock enjoyed a more serene ride to safety than others caught in a past downpour have done.
Farmer Faye Russell sprung into action in February last year with her lamb and sheep caught up in Storm Dennis.
She put a rope around her waist and leapt into her Derbyshire field which had turned into a ‘fierce’ river.
‘Metro’ London
Well done to Devon and Somerset fire service animal rescue;
Regards Mark