Special report: Emergency help for Shropshire's four-legged friends

From rescuing more than 300 sheep after the lorry they were travelling in was involved in an accident, to helping to free a hamster which had become stuck in its cage, the team have seen it all.

But the most common rescues over the last 12 months have involved cows and horses.

Many of these animals have got themselves in a sticky situation after falling into slurry pits.

With the owners being unable to rescue the animal they are left with little choice but to call the fire service.

Most of the 999 calls regarding animals are put through to Wellington Fire Station, where the crew which is trained to deal with them is based.

Craig Jackson, watch manager at the station, said: "It has been a very busy year for us with these animal rescues.

"We got called out on a total of 44 rescues this year, which is slightly down as we were called out to 61 in 2014.

"But we have seen some strange rescues, including one that involved more than 300 sheep near Oswestry.

"The lorry that was carrying them was involved in a collision, so we had to make sure all the sheep were okay and safe as they were on the road."

Mr Jackson added: "That was only last month but that was quite different as we are normally sent out to animals in slurry pits or ditches.

"Another one the fire service went out to was a hamster which had become stuck in its cage.

"We were even called over the border to help rescue the UK's biggest horse after it became stuck.

"I can't remember how many hands the horse was but it was big task getting him out safe.

"So we do get called out on some very different animal rescues."

Only this month the crew was called out to help rescue a five-month-old foal stuck in a fence.

Three crews from Telford Central and Wellington were sent to the scene, along with a vet.

It took around half an hour to release the animal.

In July, the crew was sent out to help rescue a horse in Diddlebury, near Craven Arms.

The horse, named Troy, had fallen over and ended up in a ditch where he was stuck for five hours. Wellington, along with a crew from Craven Arms spent two hours using specialist equipment to stand the horse back up.

Also in July a cow was rescued from a river next to Telford Way, Monkmoor, in Shrewsbury.

Crews spent almost an hour using specialist animal rescue equipment to pull the animal from the water, which it had entered from a field situated alongside the main road.

Seven fire appliances, including the rescue tender, were sent from Baschurch, Shrewsbury and Wellington.

In March the crew were called out to Prees after a horse had fallen and got stuck in a ditch. After making the improvised set of steps they used specialist slings to help guide the horse to safety.

Meanwhile, two cows became trapped in a canal near Quiseley Bridge, in Whitchurch.

A fire appliance from Whitchurch was sent out to assist Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service but the farmer had released the animals from the canal before the fire service were on the scene.

Mr Jackson added: "We carry out training on a regular basis and we have joined forces with Harper Adams University, near Newport.

"We use their animals to help us learn about how we can carry out these rescues.

"We also use Bullseye, which is our dummy horse where we practise using the harnesses."

He said: "Every time we carry out a training exercise or go out to a rescue we tweet about it.

"This has also made people aware that we can rescue their animals if they are stuck, meaning we can make sure the animal is safe.

"We even get called over the boarder now to help with animal rescues in Wales."

People can follow Wellington Fire Station on Twitter, @SFRSWellington