Sheep didn’t stand chance in inferno
A large number of sheep caught in the Pigeon Valley wild fires had to be euthanised after being badly burnt.
About 50 sheep grazing in Redwood Valley didn’t stand a chance against the inferno that raced through their paddock.
Tasman District Council (TDC) control services spokesman Ross Connochie said the sheep had to be put down on Wednesday after getting burnt.
‘‘We put them out of their suffering.’’
He said Civil Defence were alerted to the animals’ welfare before the Nelson SPCA and TDC Animal Control went to help.
Control Services manager John Giffiths said the agency had been helping with stock in Redwood Valley.
‘‘There’s obviously a number of stock that have been burnt in the fire and unable to get out of their fencing – unfortunately they have had to be euthanised.’’
Control Services is assisted by the SPCA, the local vet, and professional animal welfare organisations.
Eves Valley residents Vanessa and Allan evacuated their two horses on Tuesday to Richmond Racecourse, which is housing livestock and pets affected by the fire.
The couple had to leave behind their dozen cows and eight sheep, but said they were safe.
‘‘We opened the gates and let them go for it,’’ Vanessa said.
‘‘They were pretty clever and headed down to the remains of the stream.’’
Allan said he had heard of neighbours having to put down stock burnt by the fire.
The Ministry for Primary Industries is leading the animal welfare response in the Pigeon Valley fires, Nelson SPCA manager Donna Walz said.
‘‘We’re doing what we’re asked to do by them and the Fire Service – just playing a supportive role.’’
She said the SPCA removed chickens and sheep from a property to temporarily house them at the SPCA grounds on Thursday.
‘‘If people need anything they should give us a call. We do have some space here.
‘‘If food is needed, call us.’’ There had been a lot of support offered from members of the public who wanted to help anyone with animals affected by the fires, she said.
The national rescue team has been on stand-by since the fires began on Tuesday and a support person was being sent down from Wellington.