Jiffy
Well-Known Member
I just saw this on the BBC website...
Dutch rescuers have led about 100 stranded horses off a tiny patch of land surrounded by flood water, and delivered them to safe ground. The animals had been trapped knee-deep in water 90 miles north-east of Amsterdam for three days after storms hit the area. 19 horses drowned before help arrived, though the others are reported to be in a good condition.
Ahead of the move, feed and blankets were taken by boat to strengthen them.
The last horse collapsed when it reached shore. Although horses can swim and the nearest dry land was only a few hundred metres away there were fears that some horses could have been snagged on barbed wire.
Animal welfare officers and firefighters carefully mapped out the safest route, before four women on horseback guided the animals the 600m to shore.
Only one horse failed to follow the herd. It too was eventually led to safety, though it collapsed on reaching dry land and had to be treated by veterinarians on the scene.
Firefighters aboard small boats ferried about 20 horses, including the smallest foals, to safety on Wednesday. But an attempt to rescue the rest of the herd was later called off when the water level dropped in some places, making the boats run aground.
The Dutch Party for the Animals has lodged a complaint with the police against the horses' owner in connection with the deaths of the 19 horses. The party says the owner failed to move the horses to safety despite a warning about the storm.
Dutch rescuers have led about 100 stranded horses off a tiny patch of land surrounded by flood water, and delivered them to safe ground. The animals had been trapped knee-deep in water 90 miles north-east of Amsterdam for three days after storms hit the area. 19 horses drowned before help arrived, though the others are reported to be in a good condition.
Ahead of the move, feed and blankets were taken by boat to strengthen them.
The last horse collapsed when it reached shore. Although horses can swim and the nearest dry land was only a few hundred metres away there were fears that some horses could have been snagged on barbed wire.
Animal welfare officers and firefighters carefully mapped out the safest route, before four women on horseback guided the animals the 600m to shore.
Only one horse failed to follow the herd. It too was eventually led to safety, though it collapsed on reaching dry land and had to be treated by veterinarians on the scene.
Firefighters aboard small boats ferried about 20 horses, including the smallest foals, to safety on Wednesday. But an attempt to rescue the rest of the herd was later called off when the water level dropped in some places, making the boats run aground.
The Dutch Party for the Animals has lodged a complaint with the police against the horses' owner in connection with the deaths of the 19 horses. The party says the owner failed to move the horses to safety despite a warning about the storm.
