Busy day for the RSPCA's water team

Specialists from the RSPCA had to lead a pair of donkeys to safety following heavy rainfall that had caused flooding in their field.

The RSPCA's water rescue team headed to the village of Cattal in Yorkshire yesterday (26 September), to save two donkeys from flood water. The team involved five specialist officers from across the North of England.

15-year-old Davy and four-year-old Noah were both unhurt, albeit cold.

Chief Inspector of the RSPCA, Mark Gent, said: "We had to wade out quite a way to get to the donkeys, and though they were happy to be led in the more shallow water, it became much tricker when the field dipped.

"At one point we were up to our necks in it and the donkeys were literally swimming."

The team then went on to rescue 14 sheep from floods in Ripon, followed by two horses and a herd of cattle that were stuck in the River Lune in Lancashire.

Specialists will be on standby in the area again today as more flooding is expected, and follow-up visits will be made to yesterday's rescued animals.

Click here to read the RSPCA's flood advice for your animals.