[bamford6]

Fire crews have saved hundreds of farm animals in Herefordshire from dying of thirst in sub-zero temperatures.

Icy conditions over Christmas meant water supplies to 700 pigs and 40 long horn cattle froze.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service spent five hours filling up troughs on Sunday to ensure the animals could finally drink after two days



A sow and several piglets on the farm died from cold and dehydration on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The farmer said all of his water supplies, including a 1,000 litre bowser used for emergencies, had frozen solid and his rare breed of pigs and long horn cattle had not been able to drink for 48 hours.

Lack of water meant sows were unable to suckle their young.

Station manager Martin Lown, from the fire service, said: "Clearly the situation had reached a critical point and so we sent along an appliance from Whitchurch with a crew of six who were able to pump water to fill troughs and drinking barrels, to ensure all the animals could finally get some water."

[Rosemary]

Good old Fire Brigade - public service at its best

[bazzais]

The Fire Brigade are generally awesome when it comes to animals - well done Whitchurch fire crews!!!

[Mr Pig]

It is of course great that the fire crews rescued the situation but I am concerned that a farmer should have allowed the situation to get to the stage where a sow and some piglets should die of cold and dehydration. I trust that the RSPCA will be diligent and investigate this case thoroughly. There are many other pig keepers in this part of the country along the river Wye and in the Forest of Dean who managed to keep their stock supplied with water even in the severe conditions experienced over the week leading up to Xmas.

[sheardale]

Well Done firefighters.