After a dramatic rescue of her horse from a bog, Diana Reynolds-Hale is calling for horse owners to support the vital work of the fire service’s large animal rescue units.
They are facing the prospect of funding cuts.
The 12-year-old gelding was rescued from a bog in the New Forest on 11 June after straying from a bridle path.
Diana paid tribute to the “fantastic” work Jim Green and his crew at the specialist animal rescue unit based at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. She is “appalled” they are facing funding cuts.
The animal rescue unit was set up 10 years ago. Last year the unit received 300 calls, 80 involving large animals.
The horse freed from the New Forest bog was one of 4 horses rescued that week.
All British fire and rescue services are facing the same threat.
“There are significant cuts being made over the next 3 to 4 years,” Mr Green told H&H. “Animal rescue is one of the areas being scrutinised. We will have to be more efficient as we won’t have the resources we’ve had.”
In 2012, the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Association was set up to help fire services.
“We need to keep our profile up and urge people to support the work of the animal rescue services in times of financial trouble,” added Mr Green.
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