FIREFIGHTERS in Somerset don’t just put out building blazes and pull people free from crushed cars...figures show that nearly ten times a month on average, they are called to rescue cows, horses, birds, cats, dogs and a host of other animals.

A Freedom of Information request revealed Somerset firefighters carried out 93 animal rescue operations between April 1 last year and January 31 this year.

In South Somerset, five birds, three pets and four farm animals were rescued.

Neil Demmar, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service’s group manager for Somerset and a specialist rescue advisor, said there are eight instructors across Somerset specially trained in animal rescues.

He said: “The majority of our rescues involve horses and cows but we also get the odd sheep or snake, a hamster trapped behind a cavity wall, or even a cat stuck up a tree.”

Rescuing animals can be a risky business and Mr Demmar said several firefighters have been injured over the years, though fortunately none seriously.

It can also be costly. An average animal rescue operation might last two to four hours and involve 15-20 fire staff – and that could cost in the region of £2,000.

Mr Demmar added: “We do urge farmers and owners of large animals to make sure they are properly fenced in, and that horse boxes are properly secured, to avoid us having to be called out in the first place.

“If we’re out pulling a cow free from mud, it means we can’t be somewhere else dealing with a fire or a rescue.”

We have also obtained figures which reveal firefighters freed 45 people trapped in lifts in Somerset over the same period, including 12 in South Somerset.