Pony with short legs costs taxpayer £8,000 in 'rescues'
DekaNo said
14:09 03/12 2009
Firefighters answered their fourth call this week at a c****ined cost of nearly £8,000 to save the life of the 2ft 4 ins tall pony they have nicknamed "Shorty".
The animal's stumpy legs are so out of proportion with its long body that people continually assume she has become stuck in the salty marshland where she grazes.
Animal rescue expert Anton Phillips, of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, was dispatched with 12 other firefighters to help the animal before they realised it was not in any distress.
Two fire engines and a specialist lifting vehicle also attended the marshes by the River Test in Southampton.
Mr Phillips, 50, said: "This was the fourth time we have been called out by members of the public who have seen this pony on the salt marsh.
"We all inherit characteristics from our mother and father and sometimes something odd happens like this.
"From 200 yards away it does look like the pony is trapped in the mud, especially when it is stood next to New Forest ponies which are about twice as tall.
"It is right for the public to call us if they are concerned and of course we will always respond.
"But every time we get there we can see very quickly what we were dealing with.
"The pony is oddly shaped but it is fit and healthy and there is no reason to worry about it.
"There is a cost implication to consider and call outs like this are a big expense which is fine when it's legitimate but we must look at giving taxpayers best value."
Owner Sandra Whitcher is now considering putting up a sign beside the 12-year-old pony, named Mayflower, to make it clear she is not in distress.
She said: "People are always phoning up and saying Mayflower has got stuck in mud when she's perfectly OK she's just got short legs.
"We have had animal rescuers, the police and the fire brigade up here.
"When they get here Mayflower sees them and just runs off so they realise she's not stuck at all.
"The emergency services have been out so many times they must know the way by heart.
"We might have to put up a sign so passing motorists know the horse is not stuck.
"The only problem is that one day she might actually get stuck and then the fire brigade won't turn up."
The Government has estimated that the average cost of a fire crew attending a false alarm is £1,970.
Mrs. Modo said
15:49 03/12 2009
ok then
Gamepun said
15:50 03/12 2009
well just move her, ppl can be so insensitive
KDB said
15:51 03/12 2009
STUWY77 said
15:53 03/12 2009
aye sah
bLaCkBeatZ said
15:56 03/12 2009
put it out of his misery or our misery
Gamepun said
15:59 03/12 2009
bLaCkBeatZ wrote:
put it out of his misery or our misery
cyaan say dat yute, god nuh mek no man or animal fi be a misery yo nobody, if a man born as a midget or somebody born wid tourette, dem fi get put outta dem misery too.......well a jamaica wi deh still...no remorse
cyaan say dat yute, god nuh mek no man or animal fi be a misery yo nobody, if a man born as a midget or somebody born wid tourette, dem fi get put outta dem misery too.......well a jamaica wi deh still...no remorse