The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Horse fell 65ft off cliff
A horse that fell 65ft down a cliff was saved from serious harm in a dramatic two-hour rescue operation.
Dozens of firefighters, the coastguard, animal welfare experts and a local vet were all involved in a successful mission to pull 22-year-old Tara to safety.
A horse that fell 65ft down a cliff was saved from serious harm in a dramatic two-hour rescue operation.
Dozens of firefighters, the coastguard, animal welfare experts and a vet were all involved in a mission to pull 22-year-old Tara to safety.
The alarm was raised at 1.05pm yesterday when the animal slipped off a seaside ledge near Newtonhill.
After failing to coax the veteran mare back up the steep embankment with food, rescuers enlisted the help of a neighbouring farmer with a digger.
Sedated by a vet to avoid her injuring herself by struggling, a sling was attached to the Fell cross cob and she was slowly lifted back to solid ground.
She was returned to her field, exhausted but unharmed, by 3.15pm and is slowly recovering after the ordeal.
In total, around 45 people worked together to help save Tara in the extensive rescue operation which involved six fire appliances.
This included a special heavy rescue unit from Aberdeen and rope rescue teams from as far afield as Peterhead and Perth. Aberdeen Central station manager Andy Buchan, who co-ordinated the efforts, said: “I’m very proud of our team for their professionalism, and the calm nature they all used to rescue the horse safely.
“The animal was between 65ft to 82ft down, and we used our specialist rope rescue team to get access.
“At 3.15pm, we successfully rescued the animal from the cliff utilising a JCB and lifted the animal to safety.
“To allow us to do this safely, the animal was sedated by the vet.
“It was a successful rescue. As with every situation, we have to adapt to overcome.”
Last night, Tara’s owner Emily Ogg said she couldn’t thank the rescuers enough for working so hard to save the horse which she has had for the last 10 years.
Ms Ogg, 24, said: “She’s doing fine now, and I just wanted to say thank you to the fire service, vet, and the crew that came up from Perth.”
Scottish SPCA’s animal rescue officer Karen Hogg said last night: “When I arrived there was a sea of firemen, who were brilliant.
“Once the horse was safe, my job was to get her cosy and make sure she got back up to a safe temperature.
“She’s now safely back in the field with her owner, and the vet will be checking up on her later tonight.”