Sheep in f lood drama

Two sheep were rescued in a dramatic flood operation at a Forfar farm on Friday. Wilma and Fred nearly drowned as large areas of Bogside Farm became submerged following heavy rain.

Amid yellow and amber weather warnings across Tayside and Fife, emergency services and volunteers helped hundreds of people.

But a rescue operation of a different sort got under way to recover the stricken animals at around 2pm.

Police Scotland Mountain Rescue team leader for Tayside Paul Morgan was one of those involved.

He had been alerted to the incident near the A90 by Forfar community officers and Angus Council Animal Welfare Officer Coreen Hill.

Paul said: “All the farmland around Bogside Farm had completely flooded. The flock were slap-bang in the middle of the field when it started to flood.

“Unfortunately some of the sheep drowned.

“But two had almost positioned themselves on top of the barbed wire fence. I know that might sound ridiculous but that was keeping them afloat.

“Due to the distance they were away (25 metres) we could only make out they were alive because their ears were moving.

“We had to move really quickly as there was a real fear of them drowning.”

The 35-minute rescue operation involved an inflatable raft, while Paul swam across to the pair.

He added: “I’m 6ft 1in and there was large areas where I couldn’t touch the bottom.

“That showed how deep it was.

“I was able to wade through some sections before swimming across.

“The way the sheep were positioned I couldn’t lift them across the fence. I cut a hole in the barbed wire to pull them through.

“One of the sheep went into the boat whilst I swam the other one back.

“Their wool was so saturated it was like a brick.

“The community officers and animal welfare officer were helpful in identifying the animals were still alive in the first place.”

Coreen said both sheep were on the road to a full recovery.

“Although the sheep were on Bogside Farm they belonged to a shepherd further up the glen,” she said.

“As the weather took a

turn for the worst he was concerned about the flock.

“The emergency services were tied up with other incidents further north before the search and rescue guys were able to assist.

“It was fantastic they were rescued and they’re recovering well.

“It was great that the multi-agencies came together to help.”

SAVIOUR: Paul Morgan in action, swimming one of the sheep to safety during the rescue on Friday.