United Kingdom - Racing pigeons stuck up chimneys, calves trapped in a storm drain and even a reindeer that got in a real tangle it is all in a day's work for Northern Ireland's firefighters. It is not just cats in trees firefighters have to deal with, there was Susie the calf trapped in a pit, and the six ducklings separated from their mother.

These were among almost 500 animal rescues which the fire service carried out across Northern Ireland in the last two years at a staggering cost of Pounds 2.5million.

Many of the rescues involved household pets such as cats and dogs. However, the list also includes farm animals, swans and even a racing pigeon.

And there is anger at the huge cost of rescue operations, with the Taxpayers' Alliance describing the bill as "staggeringly high".

The Fire Service said two specialist animal rescue teams have been in place since 2006 to deal with an increase in calls from the public.

Based in Newcastle and Omagh, the teams serve all Northern Ireland and are specifically trained to deal with animal rescues.

They also have access to specialist equipment, including lifting gear, to enable them to respond safely to animals in distress.

Over two years the Fire Service dealt with an average of five animal rescue operations every week in Northern Ireland.

Among the more unusual cases were the six ducklings who were reunited with their mother thanks to firefighters in April 2007.

Three months later a reindeer which became entangled in rope was rescued, while hydraulic spreading gear released a large swan stuck in railings. Meanwhile, a one-year-old calf named Susie was removed from a pit with the help of a teleporter, and a rope and thermal- imaging equipment was used to help an 18-month-old dog.

Firefighters also rescued 26 cattle trapped in a flooded riverbank in August 2008 and a sheep which was stranded on a cliff face.

Ladders were also used to free a racing pigeon trapped in a chimney in February.

In total the 483 animal rescue operations ran up an estimated Pounds 2,461,893 bill.

The Fire Service said an "average costing method" used included the cost of round-the-clock emergency cover, and the number and duration of each call-out.

The chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, Matthew Elliott, said the Fire Service was spending money on rescues which it wasn't responsible for.

"While no one likes to see animals suffer, animal rescue is not the central job of the Fire Service and this does seem to be a staggeringly high amount of money," he said. "Some of these rescues are undoubtedly necessary, but people should think twice about calling the Fire Service away from potentially life-saving work unless there is no other course of action."

The most common rescues involved cats, with our furry friends getting stuck up trees, telegraph poles and even in a fridge freezer.

A spokesperson for the Fire Service said animals in distress posed a serious risk to the public and anyone trying to rescue them.

"Firefighters specifically trained in animal rescue can help reduce the likelihood of injuries and deaths to members of the public who may attempt the rescue themselves," she commented.

"Firefighters would rather that members of the public call for assistance than tackle a serious animal rescue themselves as it may result in individuals placing themselves and others in danger.

"If that should happen, the financial cost of rescuing the animal and would-be rescuer may well be a lot greater and have more serious long-term implications."

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Written by Belfast Telegraph