Firefighters in Northern Ireland rescued lambs from a disused mine shaft on Friday (March 26th,2021) evening.
According to a statement from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS), the lambs had been missing for three days.
The NIFRS’ specialist unit and colleagues from Ballymoney fire station led the animal rescue operation.
Lambs rescued Northern Ireland
In a brief tweet, on Saturday, March 27th, 2021, a spokesperson for NIFRS, said: “These lambs are looking a little sheepish.”
“Last night, crews from Ballymoney Station and the Specialist Rescue Team, worked with the farm owner to rescue these lambs who had been missing for 3 days.”
“Thanks to the owners for showing restraint, not entering the mine shaft without proper equipment and calling the emergency services to perform the rescue. You should never put yourself at risk. Remember, never enter disused mines.”
Livestock worrying bill
In other sheep-related news, Scotland has approved tougher penalties under a new livestock worrying bill.
Dog owners can now be fined up to £40,000 or jailed for a maximum of a year.
The parliament agreed to pass the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill in recent days.
Harper explained that the bill came about because, in her work as a member, she heard about many horrific incidents of dogs attacking sheep and kye.
“In pursuing those, I discovered that the current legislation was seriously outdated and needed to be modernised.”
Furthermore, she said she also discovered that farmers under-report incidents of livestock attack.
Continuing Harper added, “It is now lambing season. Fields are full of pregnant ewes and new lambs.”
“It is distressing to see photographs of the carnage of sheep and lambs killed in attacks by out-of-control dogs. Those tragic incidents dramatically highlight why the bill is needed.”
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