Maccy D, the prime breeding bull, became stuck down the well on Hill Farm in Belbroughton, Worcester, and had to be winched to safety by fire and rescue teams.
Responding to the call from owner Alan Fairbairn, Alex Mackie, from Hereford and Worcester Fire service, said the bizarre rescue required a specialist team normally used for saving trapped people from derelict buildings… Once it was secure Maccy D was hoisted out of the well and was fine apart from a few scratches on his legs. (May 20, 2009) —Photo: Newsteam

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Five fire crews, two hovercraft, a tractor, mats and ropes were involved in a race against time to extricate seven cows after they became stuck in deep mud in a river estuary. The cattle were trapped at low tide near the mouth of River Parrett, close to Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset. … “We were delighted to be able to help the animals, who were clearly distressed after they had become trapped in the mud,” [said BARB’s Steve Perks]. The animals are believed to have entered the river from nearby fields after being “spooked”, he said. Mark Newman, chairman of Burnham-on-Sea Area Rescue Boat, said: “We have rescued many things out of the mud down the years – horses, sheep, people, cars – but nothing compared to a herd of cows. Six of them had waded out into the deepest part of the tributary. It was a battle to get them out as they were sinking into the mud…. (April 17, 2009) —Photo: PA

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L’AQUILA, Italy—Help started to arrive Thursday for the more than 2,000 cats and dogs believed to have been left homeless by the earthquake in Italy. The national animal protection agency, ENPA, said seven tons of feed had been delivered to L’Aquila for both domestic and farm animals. … In this Wednesday, April 8, 2009 file photo, a firefighter leads a cow in the village of Fossa, two days after a powerful earthquake struck the Abruzzo region in central Italy, With rescue efforts well under way for the human victims of Italy’s devastating earthquake, help started to arrive Thursday, April 9, 2009, for the estimated 2,000 cats and dogs left homeless by the temblor. In addition to beloved pets, agricultural officials were beginning to assess the loss of farm animals. Cavalieri said many sheep and other farm animals were abandoned by fleeing owners and will probably starve to death if they cannot be reached. (April 9, 2009) —Photo: Alessandra Tarantino

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[Barrow and Walney, Cumbria] firefighters carried out an extraordinary rescue mission after a cow became trapped in sinking marshland. …firefighters quickly realised the rescue would not be easy. “Due to the location of the incident and moorland terrain leading to the incident, we had to transport all our equipment and personnel using a Fire Service 4×4 Land Rover.” The team used two inflatable rescue airpaths, a turfor winch, two large animal strops and, as [White Watch manager, Paul] Milburn added: “A lot of brute strength.” (March 2009) —Photo credit not given in article.

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FIREFIGHTERS rescued two pregnant cows that were trapped in a slurry pit at a Hampshire farm after walkers left a gate open. … Watch Manager Green added: “Both cows are now safely back in their field and doing fine. However this incident does highlight the need for walkers to remember and always shut gates behind themselves.” (Jan 16, 2009) — No photo credit listed

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A pregnant cow rampaged through the German city of Hanover on Monday evening, scaring pedestrians, demolishing fences and trampling gardens before it could be stopped. Uschi, weighing in at a hefty 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds), likewise damaged a number of cars, including police and fire department vehicles. In the end, the beast caused some €25,000 in damages. (April 2007) Foto: Martin Bosch/dpa Bildfunk

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