Fire crews rescue horse from ditch in West Sussex field

A horse named Bob was rescued after falling into a ditch in a field in Houghton, near Arundel. The incident occurred during a joint operation involving fire crews from West Sussex and Surrey, which lasted approximately two hours. Dramatic footage captured the moment when firefighters wrapped a harness around the 17-hand stallion, preparing him for extraction. A local vet supervised the rescue to ensure Bob's safety throughout the process. The rescue team consisted of six members who worked diligently to stabilize Bob using a rope before he was placed onto a rescue board. An unimog fire truck was then used to carefully lift him out of the boggy ditch. After the successful operation, Bob was reported to be safe and well, having been freed from the precarious situation. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by fire services in dealing with animal rescues. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in animal-related callouts, prompting discussions about the potential for charging fees for such services. Between 2013 and 2015, East and West Sussex fire services received 650 animal-related calls, costing them over £105,000. Surrey fire service has already implemented a charge of £499.80 for animal rescues, emphasizing that these operations are not a statutory function of the fire and rescue service. They aim to balance their core responsibilities while providing assistance to prevent animal suffering, indicating a need for collaboration with local farmers and animal owners to reduce the frequency of such incidents.