Farmers in Warwickshire
have been warned to make sure that livestock is moved away from
potential flood plains after RSPCA inspectors and firefighters
had to rescue 30 sheep.
Fire crews had to come
from as far as Rugby to help with the rescue in a field in Aston
Cantlow between Alcester and Henley after the nearby River Alne
burst its banks yesterday.
It took four inspectors
and 15 firefighters three hours to save the animals.
Boats were used and a
fence cut open so the sheep could be herded to safety on dry
land.
Sheep had to be rescued
from the same field two years ago after bad flooding.
RSPCA Inspector Simon
Dix, who led the rescue, said:
“Farmers must plan
ahead if they now their land is liable to flooding.
“Livestock can panic
and drown trying to find an escape and we do not want animals
to suffer.
“If we had not been
able to pull a rescue together with the fire service so
quickly yesterday, sheep could easily have died had the river
continued to rise.
“River levels can
rise very suddenly and I am sure no farmer wants to be faced
with losing livestock.
“The RSPCA does not
want to be called back to the same areas again and again to
rescue livestock when it can easily be avoided by farmers
taking responsible measures.”
