Shire Horse Saved From Watery Grave

FIREFIGHTERS saved a one ton shire horse from certain death after rescuing it from a pond in Radcliffe.

Crews from Broughton and Heywood were called to Scotson Fold Farm in Radcliffe at 10.14 on August 29. Firefighters found, Jeremy, a one ton gelding, submerged up to his neck in water in a pond and unable to escape. The crews were asked to attend the rescue with their specialist equipment by the RSPCA. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service's specialist Water Incident Unit used their animal training to rescue Jeremy alongside the RSPCA. Jeremy was stuck in the pond from 9am for more than three hours before being hauled to safety. Looking on were Jeremy's owners Jenny and Jayen Renshaw and his best friend a donkey called Misty. Jayen said: "I stood back I can't handle seeing him being moved around, it was a close call. The vet gave him a lot of antibiotics and stuff to calm him down. He's an old guy - he's 27 years old. "Misty was standing over there with him. I think she had to turn away at times too! They're like little and large - they're best buddies." Station Manager, Kevin O'Connor said: "It was up to its neck in water and suffering from hypothermia. "It kept trying to spin in the water every time we got ready to pull it up it would turn round. It was very close to dying, but the donkey never left its side. "We also had to protect the owners of the horse from danger, it was lucky no one broke their leg." This wasn't the first time Jeremy has had to be rescued from water by firefighters, his owner Jenny added: "Many years ago he went in the canal and the fire brigade were involved in getting him out then too." Source: Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue