RSPCA Gets Rose the cow moo-ving

Tuesday, 27 October 2009 12:00 AM

The RSPCA teamed up with firefighters to rescue a cow which was stuck in a stream near Mill Lane in Rickinghall, Suffolk.

The rare-breed Red Poll cow named Rose had become stuck up to her shoulders in mud at the edge of the stream on Sunday 18 October. She went to get a drink but the mud was very deep and she could not scramble back up the bank.

Rose's owner Susie Deakin and two helpers tried to free her, but the cow was becoming cold and tired. Mrs Deakin contacted Suffolk fire service who then called the RSPCA for help.

RSPCA inspector Jason Finch was on leave, but was contacted by the officer on duty for advice as he is the coordinator of the Society's national flood rescue team. He decided to go and help the rescue effort as he lives just a 15 minute drive away.

After consulting with Mrs Deakins' vet, inspector Finch decided to attach slings across Rose's back and under her chest whilst Jo Sadler, a family friend, held her head. It then took 15 people pulling on the attached ropes to help the cow up the bank.

Rose barely moved on the first attempt, but with inspector Finch's encouragement, she moved two feet. The people on the land then managed to help the cow up onto the bank and back to safety.

The rescue took an hour to complete.

Mrs Deakin said: "Rose had a calf two weeks ago and she was anxious to get back to her once she was freed. She had only gone to the stream for a drink but became stuck in the mud and the more she scrabbled at the bank, the steeper it became. Thankfully, she is fine now."

"We'd like to thank inspector Finch who was calm and professional and very happy to help, even on his day off, and also the fire service."

Inspector Finch added: "I was so near by that I wanted to help with the rescue and I'm really pleased it worked so well and that Rose is now safe and well."

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
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