Cow rescued after falling through garage roof
Last night Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were called to an incident by a farmer to rescue his young heifer. A valuable beef breeding cow approximately 18 months old had fallen through the roof of a garage and ended up wedged in a car inspection pit, which was inside the garage.
The garage was located on the edge of the farmer's pasture, and somehow the cow had managed to get onto the roof.
The cow had been missing for at least 24 hours, before the farmer found it, so it had probably been wedged in the position for the whole time.
Community Safety Protection Manager, Paul Bray who attended the incident said: “To assist in the rescue of the cow, the inspection pit was flooded with water, to give buoyancy to the cow, and straw was packed around the feet of the cow to form a ramp. The ramp was further reinforced by placing a plank under the front of the cow.
“Lines were then attached to the cow and when everything was in place, crews worked together to heave the cow out of the inspection pit. Thanks to the preplanning and good teamwork, the cow came out the pit fairly easily.
It was unable to stand at first and was given a health check by a vet, who had been called to the scene.”
Shortly afterwards the cow was able to walk up the lane to its pasture.
Specialist rescue teams from Camels head assisted Bere Alston firefighters in this successful outcome. The Service’s specialist ‘large animal rescue advisor’ also attended and supported this incident.
