Merseyside firefighters rescued almost 100 animals from perilous situations.
The Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) service went to 93 animal assistance incidents in 2020/21.
That was up from 84 in 2019/20, and the second highest number in nine years, after 114 incidents in 2018/19.
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There were 54 trapped animals last year, five that needed saving from water or mud, and 13 that needed rescuing from height.
The incidents last year involved 68 domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, nine livestock animals, and 16 wild animals.
Six incidents last year took between two and three hours to resolve.
Three involved domestic animals and three involved livestock.
One incident involving trapped livestock was recorded as involving between four and six fire vehicles and between 10 and 19 personnel.
Home Office data and data recorded in the MFRS incident log shows that most of the ‘wild animals’ that were rescued were swans, pigeons, seagulls. There was also a fox and a moorhen that were rescued.
MFRS made clear that no attempt should be made by the public and members of the public should alert MFRS.
Operational Response Group Manager Ged Knock told the ECHO: "In 2020/21, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service crews attended 93 incidents involving animals needing assistance.
"This included domestic animals such as cats and dogs, livestock animals including horses and the rescue of wild birds such as swans, pigeons and seagulls.
"We work closely with the RSPCA, vets and of course the owners of the animals involved to bring these incidents to a successful conclusion.
"If members of the public see an animal in distress, we would ask them to please contact the RSPCA in the first instance who will in turn contact the fire service if we are needed for access, rescue from height, depth or water as examples.
"Please do not attempt to rescue the animal yourself."
A horse was rescued using machinery
In one of the incidents, firefighters rescued a horse on on Causeway Lane, Great Altcar, on Monday 31st August 2020.
Crews were alerted shortly after 7.30am. One fire engine and the search and rescue truck from Merseyside attended, as well as one fire engine from Lancashire FRS.
On arrival crews found a five-year-old cob horse stuck in a ditch, where it is believed to have been overnight.
Station Manager Phil Byrne said: "Crews worked together to fit straps to the horse before using plant machinery from the local farm to lift the horse clear and to safety.
"The horse was checked over by a vet prior to being reunited with its friends in the correct field."
Yelping puppy was rescued after getting garden hook stuck in mouth
In another rescue, a dog was rescued in Ainsdale.
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service was called to Grafton Drive, Ainsdale, on Tuesday 13th April 2021 after receiving reports of an animal in distress.
Firefighters were alerted at 3.06pm and on scene at 3.15pm. One fire engine attended and the search and rescue team.
When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found a 13-week-old French bulldog puppy stuck to a garden hook stuck by its mouth. Firefighters supported the dog, called Mabel, while waiting for vets to arrive.
Station Manager Ronnie Duffy said: "The crews did really well supporting the dog while we were waiting for vets to arrive with a sedative.
"Mabel had been in the garden and got stuck to a small hook used for growing tomato plants near a wall. She was trapped tight to the wall by her lower jaw and every time she moved she made a yelp.
"The owners were really upset to see the dog in such distress – and it was hard for the crew members too as we are all dog lovers ourselves.
"When the vets arrived, they sedated her – they were great – and once she was out cold, she could be removed.
"Afterwards, we used a Smokey Paws mask to administer oxygen therapy to the dog."
Mabel had suffered a jaw injury and was assessed and treated by vets. Crews left the scene at 4.40pm.
Across England, fire services attended 5,160 animal assistance incidents in 2020/21.
That was up from 4,724 in 2019/20, and the highest number recorded since figures began in 2012/13.
While the number of livestock animals needing help stayed the same - at 1,008 in 2020/21, compared to 1,007 in 2019/20, there were increases in the number of wild and domestic animals helped.
There was a 9% rise in incidents involving domestic animals, and a 52% rise in incidents involving wild animals.
The most common type of incident was a trapped animal (1,965 last year), followed by rescuing an animal from height (1,428 incidents).
Figures from London Fire Brigade (LFB) released data last year showing a similar rise in the number of incidents it dealt with, from 602 in 2019 to 755 in 2020.
LFB said it couldn’t give definite reasons for the rise it had seen, but did suggest it could partly relate to a rise in pet ownership, leading to more calls about domestic animals, and could also partly be due to people spending more time outdoors and spotting animals in distress.
Individual fire services have differing policies and procedures when it comes to when and how they carry out animal rescues.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) does issue some guidance on dealing with animal assistance incidents.
It gives guidance on the need to understand animal behaviour in dealing with incidents - saying when feeling threatened or fearful, animals react on instinct, potentially leading to unwanted or unpredictable behaviour, such as panic or aggression.
Another thing to take into account is other people.
The NFCC guidance says: “There are many incidents involving animals where the owner of the animal, or other members of the public, put themselves at risk in an effort to rescue an animal. In attempting to do this, especially in a hazardous environment, people may in turn need rescuing."
