Dannevirke: SPCA has more sheep rescues

Laura Phillips of the Dannevirke SPCA (second from left) with emergency services in Dagmar St at the rescue of a sheep stuck in the mud on Tuesday.

Being "all sheeped out" wasn't an excuse for Laura Phillips of the Dannevirke SPCA from turning out once again to help another very woolly, drowning sheep in Dannevirke on Tuesday.

Just over a week ago it was a jet boat which was called to help for a rescue on the Manawatu River and on Tuesday the Dannevirke police and volunteer firefighters turned up to lend a hand.

A Dannevirke volunteer firefighter heads down the bank to the river at the end of Dagmar St to rescue a sheep stuck in the mud and drowning on Tuesday.

"Last week I went to a callout about a very woolly sheep (yes, another one) and photos of the animal were forwarded to the nearest SPCA animal welfare officer because we don't have one in Dannevirke," Laura said.

"However, before the owner of the sheep was tracked down, a report of a drowning sheep on the same property was made to the Tararua District Council. They passed the complaint on to the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), in Masterton who phoned us at the Dannevirke SPCA to see if we could give the initial assistance to the sheep."

On Tuesday Laura made a call to a local police officer to assist her onto the property as she has no warrant to enter without permission.

"I was surprised the Dannevirke Volunteer Fire Brigade was also dispatched," she told the Dannevirke News. "They were very practical and got straight in and pulled the stuck sheep out of the mud."

A report has been passed on to the MPI investigator who will follow up with the sheep owner.

"It's great to see the sheep was helped, but it is a big ask on all our emergency service providers. If the public are concerned about the welfare of animals in our community, we rely on them to report to our council, MPI or the SPCA any that are in need. We need to take care of the animals in our community and remind owners of their responsibilities. But we [Dannevirke SPCA] need the resources to follow through on the investigating these complaints. I am fighting hard to raise funds to employ a specialised animal welfare investigator for our local SPCA - to cover the entire Tararua area."

- If anyone feels this is also important to them, donate to Dannevirke SPCA - Givealittle page https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/woolsonandfriends.