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Cow Gets Head Stuck In A Tree

Cow Gets Head Stuck In A Tree

It was not a-moo-sed

Amelia Ward

Amelia Ward

Emergency services in Oxford were called out to a cow that had somehow managed to get its head stuck in a tree.

Several fire engines arrived to a field in Water Eaton and local resident Dr. Mark Merrony decided to investigate.

Speaking to BBC News, he said: "It was with its head stuck in the tree, poor thing. I think they are quite curious creatures.

"Curiosity nearly killed the cow."

He said that crews on the scene tried to 'lubricate' the cow's neck before eventually managing to pull it free from the tree.

Dr. Mark Merrony, Antiqvvs Magazine

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue service said officers had to wait for a vet to arrive before finally pulling the animal free, using straps for leverage.

It had been trapped for about an hour before it was set free at about midday.

Dr. Merrony added: "You have got to take your hat off to the fire service, they are just brilliant."

Dr. Mark Merrony, Antiqvvs Magazine

You might think a cow getting its head stuck in a tree would be a rare, perhaps even one-off occurrence at first glance, but you'd be surprised at how often the animals have to be rescued from similar situations.

In 2016, North Yorkshire Fire Service tweeted about a rescue mission they had to take part in.

The fire service said: "Northallerton crew have attended a cow with its head stuck in a tree! Crew attempted to release cow using strops & farm machinery.

"Vet attended to sedate cow & crew used dewalt saw & chainsaw along with hand tools to release cow. #newcowtrend #poorcow."

And another incident saw two cows getting their heads stuck in the same tree and having to be rescued by staff from the National Trust, who were alerted by visitors at a property in Truro, Cornwall.

As reported by The Express back in 2015, Craig said: "I was alerted by a member of the public who was walking his dog, after they spotted the cow in the car park.

"I thought it was a strange report, but I went over to have a look anyway.

"As I was walking down through the field I saw a member of the public next to a tree, and sure enough, a cow had its head stuck in there.

"It was a bullock, and his head was firmly lodged in the tree."

Craig Hardman/National Trust

It took him and other members of staff more than an hour to get it free, after chiselling away at the branches.

He added: "We don't know why he put his head in there, but another cow has been back to the same spot so there must be some nutrient in there that they like.

"The second cow also got stuck but was freed easily as we had already widened the hole the first time around."

Featured Image Credit: Dr. Mark Merrony, Antiqvvs Magazine

Topics: UK News, Weird, Animals