Large animal rescue demo for Middleton vets

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) joined staff from the Peter Fenton Veterinary Practice, based in Middleton, for a presentation and demonstration

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Large animal rescues were the topic of discussion at a recent event hosted by a local veterinary practice.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) joined staff from the Peter Fenton Veterinary Practice, based in Middleton, for a presentation and demonstration on Monday, July 23.

GMFRS trainers Andy Topping and Austin Lewis led the event which was held at the North Manchester Golf Club.

The evening began with an indoor presentation about GMFRS’ capabilities and equipment for animal rescue and the training crews undergo.

This was followed by an outdoor demonstration of how a horse rescue should be carried out, using a life-sized plastic horse which weighs around 250 kilos.

Firefighters from Heywood Fire Station also assisted with the demo – the station is one of just two stations in the organisation with specialist large animal and water rescue teams, along with Eccles Fire Station.

All GMFRS firefighters undergo basic animal and water rescue training, but these specialist teams have extra equipment and more regular hands-on training to equip themselves for large-scale rescues.

GMFRS receives around 65,000 emergency calls per year and last year, more than 500 calls were animal related emergencies.

Austin Lewis said: “In the past we only got a few animal rescue calls a year but because more people and organisations are becoming aware of our capabilities we are getting called to more jobs of this nature.

“We also have a great deal more equipment now and carry out regular training so as a service we’re more equipped to deal with large animal rescues.

“When dealing with large animals there are a number of risks involved, both to the animal and the crews, and the general public if they are at the scene.

“The majority of our large animal incidents happen around water, or mud, or ice and there's usually a member of the public or a farmer around who has a close relationship to the animal so the crew has to keep them away from the animal for their own safety.

“We work with the RSPCA who have been on these courses and have an understanding of what we do, and BEVA (British Equine Veterinary Association) and we work to CFOA (Chief Fire Officers' Association) standards.”

Spectator Lorrie Jaundrell said: “Many clients and non-clients from the area attended the event and witnessed first-hand the excellent emergency services we have available to come to the aid of horses throughout the North West area as well as the improvements for large animal rescue.

“Spectators watched with amazement as the trainers showed us the many maneuvers they use during a rescue such as the barrel pull and turning the animal from one side to another, and how they use the equipment when rescuing horses from difficult situations.

“They even got poor Peter Fenton involved in helping demonstrate the safety gear that the vets have to wear at any emergency they attend.”

The session ended with a talk from vet Richard Knight who demonstrated new equipment including a mobile video gastroscope, which has two endoscopes: one used for upper and lower respiratory tract and one for examining the stomach and the first part of the small intestine.