SCOTTISH firefighters have been called out to over 2,000 animal rescues in the past five years.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) recorded on average at least one call out each day where they have had to rescue birds, livestock, domestic and wild animals.
Last year 441 animals had to be rescued after getting stuck in sticky situations in areas including cars, sewage works, churches and even fire stations themselves.
Out of these 120 fearless animals were rescued from height by firefighters – including some who got caught on top of churches, buildings, hotels and even prison.
During 2020 another 34 were retrieved from below the ground.
Hundreds of other animals were safely rescued after finding themselves trapped or in danger in areas across Scotland.
The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act, today stated that 2,182 animal rescues occurred over the last five years.
In 2019, 464 animals were rescued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – making it the busiest year for the crew over the past five years.
The figures also reveal how 2018 saw 424 of which over 50% were domestic animals and over 30% were livestock.
There were also 422 rescues made in 2017.
In 2016 the SFRS recorded 442 animal call outs – including 263 for domestic species.
Some of the most bizarre findings from the FOI reveal how a wild creature found itself trapped inside a Ministry of Defence building in Grangemouth, Falkirk last year.
Fire crews were also called out to Dumfries and Galloway in 2019 to rescue a domestic animal who found themselves stuck inside a pile of manure.
Several pet owners also called in rescue teams to help free their pets who were found to be stuck inside discarded “roadside furniture”.
And one domestic animal even momentarily became an inmate at HMP Perth, having become trapped inside the prison last year.
