It is quite common for rescue teams and caring individuals to encounter pets in precarious situations. The classic image of a cat stranded in a tree, being rescued by heroic firefighters, is so well-known that fire departments often use it for promotional purposes.
This story, however, took an unexpected turn right from the start. A bystander, hearing what he thought were dog barks emanating from a tight space between two buildings, rushed over to investigate and offer assistance.
To his astonishment, what he discovered was not a dog at all.
Unraveling The Mystery
Upon closer inspection, the man realized that it was actually a deer that had gotten stuck. Unsure of how to proceed and fearing for the animal’s safety, he promptly called the fire and rescue services for assistance.
The firefighters arrived, puzzled by the call, but they promptly proceeded to the scene. As they examined the situation, one of the firefighters burst out laughing upon recognizing the trapped creature.
The animal lodged between the buildings was indeed a deer, but specifically a Muntjac, commonly referred to as a barking deer. True to its name, this breed of deer emits sounds reminiscent of a dog when threatened, clarifying the entire confusion.
Despite cracking the mystery, the firefighters opted to call the RSPCA for further assistance in safely extricating the deer.
Returned to Its Habitat
The RSPCA team arrived swiftly but recognized right away that this rescue would prove to be quite challenging.
“This was a tricky rescue because the deer was trapped so tightly, and to complicate matters was also upside down — it must have been terrifying for him,” said animal rescue officer Karen Nix in a press statement.
Fortunately, she and her colleague, Inspector Laura Jones, came equipped with the appropriate tools as well as the expertise necessary to navigate the rescue successfully.
While overseeing the operation, the firefighters gently maneuvered the deer through the gap using ropes and poles, and they successfully freed it. Fortunately, the deer appeared to be in good health post-rescue.
Thus, they immediately released it back to its natural surroundings.
“It was such a relief to watch him run free into the underbrush,” Nix concluded.
As the deer sprinted away towards safety, it ceased to bark, indicating that the threat had passed and brighter days lay ahead for him.
