The job of the RSPCA is never finished – and an off-duty inspector had to unexpectedly rush to the aid of a sheep in Whitland this weekend.
RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben was taking his daily exercise on Sunday (April 19) as restrictions on daily life continue amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
He and his partner – fellow RSPCA officer Ellie West – spotted the lost lamb in the middle of a country lane, with the mother heard crying nearby but unable to reach her lamb. A passing car then frightened the lamb further, and she retreated into a nearby hedgerow.
Inspector Hogben – a football fan – was able to safely collect the lost lamb by switching sports and pulling off an impressive rugby tackle.
The off-duty officers then put Inspector Hogben’s beanie hat over the head of the panic-stricken lamb to keep her calm, before returning her to a field. Heart-warming video footage shows the moment the lamb – now back in the field – looks for her mother, before finding her, completing the happy ending.
Inspector Hogben said: “There’s always animals in need of assistance, and when on our daily exercise, we suddenly came across this petrified lamb who had become stranded from her mother.
“The lamb’s mother was calling frantically in a nearby field, but had no way to reach her baby. Fortunately, even though I’m a Charlton Athletic fan, I was able to swap sports and put some rugby skills to good use, securely tackling the lost lamb, before returning her to the field where her mother was.
“She was understandably a very scared and confused lamb – but she calmed down after we popped my beanie hat over her head.
“It was then just amazing to see the lamb search for and quickly find her mother – and certainly made our daily walk a lot more exciting than expected.
“While we were fortunate enough to be able to help this sheep out in our free time, the RSPCA is still on the frontline during the Covid-19 crisis. We’d urge anyone concerned who thinks an animal is in an emergency situation to contact us on 0300 1234 999. Animal cruelty won’t stop for coronavirus, so we’re asking our supporters to donate what they can to help keep us on the road.”
During this difficult time, the RSPCA’s priority is to help animals most in need. Please visit the RSPCA’s website for advice, information and support.
